Global PAN Africa organizes Voters Education Conference in Abuja

Maryam Aminu

As the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria announces dates for the upcoming 2023 General election, Decency Pan Africa sees it as a crucial time to encourage and enlighten young people to vote.

For an election to be successful and democratic, voters must understand their rights and responsibilities, and must be sufficiently knowledgeable and well informed to cast ballots that are legally valid and to participate meaningfully in the voting process.

Realizing this, Decency Pan Africa Youth Empowerment Initiative organized youth voters education conference with the theme: the role of youth in fair, credible and non-violent election in Africa held 17th January,2023 in Abuja

Delivering the Chairman’s remark, the FCT House of Representative, Hon. Micah Jibah, appreciated everyone present and urged stakeholders to usher new ideas that will yield positive outcome of the conference.

Jibah implored Nigeria Youth to wake up and be part of the voting process adding that
“Critical development cannot succeed without a legitimately and democratically elected government that is responsible and accountable to it’s people”

The good decision you make in the forthcoming election will go a long way in ensuring that only competent leaders are given the chance to rule in the tiers of government, said Jibah.

Speaking on the need for voters education an INEC official, Mrs Magdalene Aku sees voters education as programs or activities that typically addresses voters’ motivation and preparedness to participate fully in elections. This includes information about voting and the electoral process and is concerned with concepts, such as: the link between basic human rights and voting rights; the role, responsibilities, and rights of voters; the relationship between elections and democracy and the conditions necessary for democratic elections; secrecy of the ballot; why each vote is important and its impact on public accountability; and how votes translate into seats.

Voters education will raise the level of awareness of the electorate especially the disadvantaged sectors towards a responsible, democratic, and sustained participation in electoral and governance processes.said Aku

Speaking further on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s readiness to ensure free,fair and non-violent election in Africa, Aku stated the commission’s efforts at ensuring all Nigerians including Persons Living with Disabilities were carried along in the electoral process.

Aku reaffirmed the commitment of the Commission towards ensuring that only citizen’s votes count in the 2023 general elections. In 2023 only the votes cast by Nigerians will determine who wins elections,as introduction of BVAS will make it impossible to rig elections, she implore youth to cast their votes as are kingmakers
“No government without your votes, come out in your numbers to elect credible leaders for the safety of our future”

Also, the Namibia Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Humphrey Desmond Geiseb during his goodwill message appreciated Global PAN Africa for organizing the conference in preparedness of the 2023 Nigeria General election.

Geiseb disclosed that Namibia is one of Africa’s most tranquil country. And as country who sees Nigeria as one who supported the independence struggle of Namibians, he implored Nigeria to be of best practices for other Africa countries to emulate

In her address, the host of the conference, Stella Njideke (Lady Decency) narrated that historically, young people have voted at lower rates than older adults. That may be starting to change: as INEC disclosed major increase in youth voters registration turnout in 2022. However, there’s still much work to do. Our research consistently indicates that the preparation many young people receive (or fail to receive) to become informed voters is inadequate, leading to significant variations in voting rates by face/ethnicity, educational attainment, and other socioeconomic and demographic factors.

She enlightened that making youth aware of their rights would lead them to be active and responsible citizens.

Engaging youth in the election process aims to create a democratic culture to strengthen democracy.

She added that for the youth to express their voice and bring reforms in the government they must elect their representative who strongly relays their voice to the concerned authority. For this, it is vital for the young people to have the right to vote and utilize their rights.

The conference aims to initiate a national movement to increase the number of aware youth voters in Nigeria for the upcoming elections, she said