MOWALEK partners NUPEC on Voter education in Osun

 By Owolabi Labode

A civil society organisation, Mowalek Centre for Sustainable Community Development, in collaboration

with National Unity and Peace Corps (NUPEC) Osun State Command has 

embarked on voter education through  door-to-door sensitization for electorate in Ila and Ifedayo Local Government Areas against the 2019 general elections.

The activity was part of the interventions of the Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC) on capacity enhancement for citizens to guide against political apathy and electoral ignorance, especially on the collection of Permanent Voters' card (PVC) and the need for active participation. 

At the commencement of a week-long exercise, the project team, which

comprises  of project staff of Mowalek with officers and men of NUPEC,  led by Mr. Michael Olusesi Ebofin carried out familiarization

visits to the royal fathers within the project coverage areas to

receive their blessings for the task ahead.

The activities include: One-on-one interactions with residents on

streets and homes, while churches, mosques and palaces were also

visited. Informative, educative and communicative materials being

produced by the INEC were freely distributed to target beneficiaries

for an improved result. The materials were carefully prepared and

tested to ensure that they communicate behavioural/attitudinal change

messages to the general public, while some focused on issues of

serious concern. Such include:

       Come out and vote for your choice (No PVC No Voting).

       Don’t sell your vote.

       Accreditation and Voting Procedure.

       Specimen of Ballot papers.

       Vote, Not fight. Say no to violence.

        Election Offences and Penalties.

       Reduction of political apathy among the electorates through our interventions.

       Increased awareness creation on collection of permanent voter card

at designated locations.

       Enhanced understanding and knowledge of the electorates on the

correct way to thumbprint and fold the ballot papers.

       Enhanced understanding and knowledge of electoral process among the

electorates as they perform their civic duties and meaningfully engage

their leaders in order to ensure violence-free elections in their

various communities.

       Greater citizens’ participation in electoral process for true

democracy beyond mere casting of votes.

       Improved participation of women, youths and physically challenged

persons in the electoral process.

       Enhanced knowledge for the electorates in tracking and prompt

reporting of events within their communities to their leaders in order

to ensure peaceful conduct of election.

       Enhanced understanding and knowledge for the electorates about

election offences and penalties in the electoral act.

       Improved confidence building among the electorates to freely go to

polling units to cast their votes for their candidate without

intimidation.

       Increased awareness in curbing vote trading before and during elections and a host of other messages.