2023 Polls: Group Raises Alarm Over Poor PVC Collection Rate

By Praise Chinecherem

Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI), an advocacy group, has expressed worry over level of preparedness of Nigerians towards the forthcoming election.

The group also decried large number of eligible voters yet to obtain their Permanent Voters Card less than three months to the poll.

The Executive Director, Nonso Orakwe, stated this while flagging off the “Vote Not Fight: Election No Be War” Campaign in Awka, Anambra state, targeted at ensuring violence-free election.

He said, “The process of electing leaders in Nigeria has been plagued by a myriad of problems, ranging from voter intimidation, suppression to harassment and outright violence.

“This campaign is to change the ugly trend to bring lasting peace in our political space. We want to pass the message to youths, politicians, and other stakeholders that the general election should not be a do-or-die affair.

“We’re also here to partner with business owners to sensitize fun seekers on the dangers of election violence and the need to exercise their civic responsibilities in the election. 

“We urge our youths to prevent electoral violence by upholding democratic principles before, during, and after elections, because there is a connection between violence-free election, peace, and development.”

Orakwe who doubles as the ‘Vote Not to Fight’ convener, added, “We have structures in the southeast and every other region in the country. In Anambra, we have the state coordinators comprising senatorial district coordinators and local government representatives that drive the message at the grassroots level.

“We tested the level of knowledge and preparedness of the public about the forthcoming election, and we found out that some majority have very poor knowledge of the election. 

“We are also worried that most Nigerians are yet to get their PVCs. That is why we engaged this kind of relaxation center to ascertain actually if what we heard outside was true.”

Also speaking, Anambra South district coordinator, Chiamaka Okparaojiego, emphasized that the people were sensitized on a collection of PVCs, being peaceful, choosing the right candidate, and overall voter education.

She said elections in the country are usually marred by violence. She also noted that since the group was launched in 2015, violence associated with elections had reduced, but informed that the group would not want the country to go back to its former ways, hence the need to launch the campaign again.

Contributing, Mazi Ndubuisi Eze popularly known as ‘Nwoke Udi’ said the campaign is of immense advantage to the people around and the society at large. “For them to come and talk to people in this way is a welcome idea. The impact was felt.”

He encouraged Nigerians to vote and not fight. He charged them to spread the message across every length and breadth of the country. He also urged citizens to collect their PVCs, shun voter apathy, and vote wisely during the election.