By Jubril Ango
Bauchi
Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) operating in Bauchi State at the weekend embarked on a campaign rally to sensitize the residents of the state on the need to register, vote and protect their votes.
The sensitization exercise which was organized by One Voice Nigeria in collaboration with Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) was participated by 15 CSOs, representatives of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Physically Challenged Association in Bauchi State.
The rally, which was held in Bauchi metropolis, started from Ahmadu Bello Way to Kobi Street and Wunti roundabout with the CSOs carrying placards that read, “Register, Select, Vote, Protect, My Voice, My Vote, One Voice Nigeria” among others.
Sadiq Sadiq Yusuf, the secretary general of Bauchi State Network of Civil Society Organizations (BASNEC), who spoke at the event, called on the residents to follow due process and register with relevant authorities to enable them cast their votes during the forthcoming general election.
He said that it was their constitutional right to be registered and come out enmasse to vote for the candidate of their choice during the election.
“We have the right to make our choice during the election by voting for people who have integrity to deliver to citizens of Nigeria and we can only do that if we obtain voters card and exercise our franchise during the polls,” he said.
Also, the Senior Programmes Office of CITAD, Isa Garba, said that the aim of the exercise was to sensitize the public on the need to register, vote on election day, protect their votes as well as how to report their grievances in a positive way to relevant authorities.
His words: “We want to educate the general public on when and where to register and get voters cards as well as how to resolve problems of lost of voters card and relocation issues”.
But, the Ag Public Affairs Office of INEC in Bauchi State, Is’haq Hamza, said that the continuous voters registration was in compliance with section (10) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended as it becomes imperative to continue with the registration of eligible voters.
According to him, “the section 13 of the Electoral Act also provides for transfer of voters registration for those that have relocated to other places from where they register to their present location to enable them exercise their franchise.”
Hamza called on any citizen who is yet to register to use the opportunity and register as well as ensure that their OVC’s are securely kept to enable them vote during the election.