A civil society organisation, Yiaga Africa, has described Anambra as the worst in terms of electoral participation in the history of governorship elections in Nigeria.
Mr Paul James, the Election Programme Manager, Yiaga Africa, made the assertions on Wednesday, while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of a programme to engage Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Leaders in Anambra.
The CSOs engagement was part of the pre-election activities for the Nov.6 governorship election in Anambra.
James said: “According to records, in the 2015 Presidential Election, over a million people (24 per cent), voted in Anambra, while in 2017 governorship election the figure dropped to 21 per cent.
“It is sad, because in the history of governorship elections in the country that was the worst in terms of electoral participation.
“In the 2019 Presidential Election also, there was a little shift to 26 per cent in terms participation.
“You begin to wonder why Anambra people are more interested in election at the centre and not the election in their state?”
James highlighted low voter education, electoral violence, voter inducement by political parties and lack of voter engagement, as some of the factors that contributed to low electoral participation in the state.
He said there was need to forster collaboration among CSOs to drive citizens’ engagement and participation as well as build citizen’s confidence in electoral process.
“We are engaging with CSOs to understand the political climate in Anambra, what to expect in the forthcoming election and to share our methodologies of election observation via Watching The Vote and Parallel Vote Tabulation plans.
“Voter engagement, information and education is very low in Anambra, especially education targeted at women, youths and persons with disabilities.
“We need to agree as stakeholders on how to improve voter education, engagement and mobilisation to change the narrative in the Nov.6 guber election. We have an opportunity to right the wrong,” he said.
James urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish information on how to locate the new polling units and how to get the permanent voter cards to make the process easy for the people.
The rogramme manager also urged political parties to get involved in voter education, saying that they command the highest number of followers.
He also said that voters needed to understand the need to make conscious efforts to participate in electoral process rather than sit on the fence.
“Whether we like it or not, if you do not participate in the election, you do not have the moral right to question the kind of governance you get.
“You are responsible for the kind of government you get,”James said.
On behalf of the CSOs, Mrs Onyeka Obi, Founder, Women Centre for Self Empowerment and Development, said the engagement would encourage them to intensify their voter education and mobilisation efforts. (NAN)
