THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised Nigerians to pay attention to details of the campaign manifestoes of candidates for the 2023 elections.
The Commission stated this it will help citizens to make informed decisions.
The Commission gave the charge during the final stage of the Voter Education Innovative Dragons’ Den Competition in Abuja on Wednesday.
The contest was jointly organised by the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
Speaking, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victor Aluko, who was represented by Ms. Dorathy Inyang, said: “As you are aware, the campaign starts today (Wednesday), September 28, and we are telling Nigerians to pay attention to the manifesto of political parties and what each candidate has to offer so that they can make their informed choices.”
According to Aluko, the electoral body is already working hard in educating and enlightening the electorates on how to effectively participate in the electoral process, but required the collaboration of civil society groups to complement its efforts.
“Considering the size of the nation, all hands, therefore, should be on deck to provide voter education.
“Top on the lists of these who are to be involved in these are registered civil society organisations who have passions in civic responsibilities to educate the citizens to be alive to their responsibilities to issues like voting,” he said.
Aluko also disclosed that Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) for persons captured in the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise would be ready between October and November.
He said the Commission would enhance greater participation of persons living with disabilities during the election.
“As it is right now, PVCs are being distributed at all INEC local government offices and there is actually a timetable, voters that registered from 2011 to January 19, 2021, their PVCs are ready because their collection started in August.
“For those who registered between June 2021, and January 2022, their PVCs would be ready next month October and for those that registered in July 2022, their PVCs would be ready in November 2022”, he added.