2023 Elections: We Must Vote, the voice of the disenfranchised eligible voters By Taiwo Olubanwo

Eligible voters mobilization was successfully done evidenced by a record high Registered Voters. As of February 2023, records show 93,469,008 Registered Voters with 87,209,007 Collected Permanent Voters Card (PVC)s. This record is by far the highest since the first republic. It is believed that the mobilization and election education will address the “Voter Apathy Phenomenon”. Evidently, in spite of the ongoing Nara scarcity, fuel scarcity and noticeable hardship in the land, a mammoth voters turnout is noticeable across the board. The observation is impressive as it speaks to one direction, change and desire to be part of the change process with an unimaginable resilience in the face of many challenges. Naija, I hail thee!

Thanks to the INEC, electoral body and the FG for doing a good job in increasing the rate of individuals with PVC. Unfortunately, at well over 2:30 pm on the general election day, February 25th, 2023 several individuals seem to be expressing their frustration related to the failure of the electoral body in ensuring that all polling units start the election process at the right time. Some polling units have experienced a peaceful voting process while some experienced chaos with evidence of ballot destruction, and lack of electoral officers just to mention a few. Some polling units did not start the election originally scheduled to start at 8:30 am until noon. Some voters did not see election officers not to talk of exercising their civic right to vote at well over 2:30 pm in some polling units.

1,491 electoral constituencies were noted in 774 Local Government Areas with logistics mobilized by the FG. It is unclear why some polling units did not start the voting process at the right time while some polling unit electorates seem to have lost hope of voting. Frustration is noticeable in some areas where some individuals felt disenfranchised for not being able to vote, hence the chanting statement “We Must Vote”.

It is obvious that some polling units were overcrowded, thanks to the election body‘s contingency plan of moving some voters to other polling units where fewer voters were recorded. However, it is expedient to hold those who needed to be held accountable regarding the lack of electoral officers in selected polling units. With records showing an increase in first-time voters, it is imperative to make the experience of first-time voters encouraging. Electoral officers in charge of some mismanaged polling units should be called to order and held accountable where infractions and election mismanagement are noticeable.

Of note, the general election is still ongoing in some polling units, whilst some polling units may have completed the process. We are optimistic that this election will not be marred by challenges that may significantly skew the outcome against the legitimate voice and desire of the electorates. We look forward to a day when the election process will be easy, unlike the seemingly complicated processes. Everyone should be able to vote without much stress as observed in developed nations. Let’s join hands for a better future. We can all make our nation great as anticipated.