The Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), has cautioned Anambra residents against violence before, during and after the upcoming governorship election in the state.
By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
The Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), has cautioned Anambra residents against violence before, during and after the upcoming governorship election in the state.
The Finance Officer, SIDEC, Ms Chioma Enwereuzor, said this on Saturday during a voter education programme at Afor-Igwe Market at Umudioka, Dunukofia Local Government Area.
The programme was organised under the Inclusive Mobilisation for Participation, Advocacy and Civic Transformation (Project IMPACT), to promote peaceful and inclusive participation in the electoral process.
The project is being implemented by SIDEC in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK-FCDO).
Enwereuzor described electoral violence as destructive and counterproductive.
“Violence benefits no one; it destroys lives and progress; and can set us many years backward,” she said.
She said that security agencies had been placed on high alert to handle troublemakers, adding that the law would take its course on anyone found instigating violence.
“Election is not a do-or-die affair. Do not allow anyone to use you to destabilise the state,”she advised.
Enwereuzor further reminded voters not to wear clothes, caps, or accessories bearing party symbols to polling units, as such would amount to campaigning on election day.
She encouraged peaceful participation, urging voters to stay back for vote counting if they wished but to do so lawfully.
“Your voter card is your power; do not stay at home on election day.
“That is when you help decide the destiny of Anambra for the next four years,” she said.
She decried the growing trend of vote-buying and advised voters not to sell their votes, saying offenders would face prosecution under the Electoral Act (2022).
Enwereuzor also reminded the public to respect the priority voting rights of persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, as stipulated by law.
During the interactive session, a trader, Mr Sylvester Njoku, identified challenges such as malfunctioning of voting devices (BVAS) and poor network connectivity as major factors discouraging voter turnout.
She also called on security agencies and INEC officials to perform their duties diligently to ensure peaceful and credible election.(NAN)