The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has called on South-East Governors to commence aggressive sensitisation on obtaining a Permanent Voters card through declaring “Operation Show Your Voter’s Card”.
The Operation Show Your Voter’s Card should cut across markets, schools, ministries, and government establishments, as well as religious and community leaders. The Chairman of CLO in Anambra State, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, told newsmen on Thursday in Enugu that the initiative was aimed at motivating citizens for active participation in the electoral process.
According to Ezekwueme, this is necessary in view of the widespread voter apathy, indifference, and nonchalant attitude observed across the region. He noted that it was pathetic that during CLO sensitisation and mobilisation, many citizens vowed never to participate in future elections due to displeasure over the outcome of the 2023 Presidential Election.
CLO reminded citizens that “if we don’t take an interest in politics, politics will take an interest in us.” “It is a game of numbers in which the minority will have its say, whereas the majority will have its way. Politics determines the socio-economic, religious, and cultural life of every nation,” he said.
The chairman lamented that the reason “why we are governed as fools is because good people sit back and do nothing. It is unfortunate that among the six geopolitical zones in the country, the South-East has the lowest number of registered voters. In every periodic election, less than 20 per cent of registered voters cast their votes.
“This ugly and unacceptable situation can be changed if political, religious, civil society organizations, market, and traditional leaders embark on aggressive sensitization and education of citizens on the inevitable need for active participation in the electoral process.
“It is of prime importance to note that only legitimate means to enthrone overarching, benevolent servant leaders is participatory democracy, in which voter registration is fundamental and foundational.
“When good people are in power, the people rejoice. This can only be actualised with your voter’s card,” he noted
The CLO boss stressed that “it is your right and responsibility to contribute towards enthronement of good leaders”.
He noted that docile followers precipitate docile leaders; hence, citizens must vote, defend their votes, and hold leaders accountable. CLO called on every eligible prospective voter to spare no effort in obtaining their voter’s card.
The chairman also appealed to INEC to ensure peaceful, less stressful, and prompt registration and issuance of voters’ cards, and to tackle the bureaucratic challenges faced by registrants. He called for the creation of additional CVR registration centres, polling units, and electoral wards in the five South-East states to accommodate residents of new estates and layouts in the region.
CLO also commends the Justice, Development and Peace/Caritas (JDPC) Archdiocese of Onitsha, led by Rev. Fr. Edwin Udoye, for its impressive and aggressive sensitisation on CVR registration that is yielding positive results.
“It is of great relevance for other faith-based organizations to emulate the JDPC to positively change this despicable narrative. Be it as it may, apathy, indifference, a nonchalant attitude, and undernourishment of democracy are a threat to democracy and democratic culture. “Pertinently, the usefulness of a vote depends on the voter; use your vote wisely to help eradicate corruption and bad governance,” he added.
