The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has commenced a voter sensitisation campaign across communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the February 21 Area Council elections, with a call on residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and actively participate in the polls.
Executive Director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Sarkin Bwari, Alhaji Muhammad Auwal Ijakoro, as part of the organisation’s grassroots engagement in Bwari Area Council.
Nwadishi said the sensitisation exercise would run for 10 days and would involve door-to-door voter education, visits to markets and community centres across the area council.
“What we are doing is door-to-door voter education in respect to the forthcoming Area Council election in the FCT. We are going to be in your territory for the next 10 days, going to different markets and communities to raise awareness,” she said.
She noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would begin the distribution of PVCs from the following day, adding that over 128,000 PVCs are expected to be distributed across the FCT out of about 1.6 million registered voters.
According to her, Bwari Area Council remains one of the most significant councils in the FCT, making voter participation critical.
Nwadishi urged residents to discard the belief that votes do not count, describing it as a narrative promoted to discourage voter turnout.
“When people say votes do not count and still go to the field on election day, they see politicians giving money to people to come and vote. That alone shows that votes count,” she stated.
She stressed that participation in elections is a civic responsibility, warning that citizens who opt out of the process should not complain about the outcomes.
“We cannot keep complaining when we are not part of a process. If you are part of the process, you are part of the decision-making,” she added.
Describing the PVC as a tool of empowerment, Nwadishi said it gives citizens the power to “hire and fire” their leaders, particularly at the grassroots level, which she described as the closest tier of governance to the people.
CTA also disclosed that it had been selected by INEC to observe the election in Bwari Area Council.
INEC officials present assured the community that votes cast during the election would count and appealed to residents to shun violence, noting that the Area Council polls are grassroots elections that directly affect the daily lives of citizens.
Responding, the Sarkin Bwari, Alhaji Muhammad Auwal Ijakoro, commended CTA for the sensitisation visit and pledged to ensure that the message reaches all district and village heads, as well as religious leaders, within his domain.
He also wished the FCT a peaceful and successful Area Council election.
