Mobilising For Voters Card Collection

Following the adjusted  calendar of the In
dependent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) in Rivers State, the collection of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in the State is expected to last  from December 5-7, 2014.
It would be recalled that the PVC collection was staggered due to logistic challenges which saw 14 Local Government Areas(LGAs) hold the exercise from November 28-30 while the exercise is now to commence in the remaining nine LGAs from December 5 to end on December 7.
Thereafter, people who turned 18 years of age after the last voters registration exercise and others not covered then will now have an opportunity to be registered between December 10-14.
The essence of the exercise, no doubt, constitutes a critical prelude to the success or otherwise of the 2015 general elections and the ones after. Of course the voters’ cards that come in more durable material this time becomes the only instrument that qualifies anyone to vote. Those who do not have it cannot participate in deciding who governs the nation.
Perhaps, it is against this background and the importance of the exercise to the collective interest of the people that Rivers State Government declared last Fridaya work-free day for workers. This is to enable them collect their voters cards without excuses. It is expected that other organisations, the private sector, religious bodies, political parties, civil societies, and pressure groups would also encourage the participation of people under their control.
Voters cards, in all democracies remain the only power which politics resolves around. Politics without voters card is like a gun without bullets; and so its essence cannot be under-estimated.
From the foregoing therefore, the INEC and all well-meaning persons must mobilise and sensitise the people on the fact that they cannot possibly vote without their permanent voters card.
The Tide thinks that at this level of the nation’s political development, the citizenry, precisely the voters cannot afford to take political issues, especially the acquisition of the instruments with which they can decide the political leadership of the country lightly.
While we expect that the era of apathy amongst voters should have gone for good, it is expedient that all persons of voting age should treat this national and civic obligation with the measure of priority it rightly deserves.
The Tide, however, warns that politicians and political parties should not try to hijack the process or give room for violence or clashes that may jeopardize the exercise. We believe that the current processes make hoarding of cards meaningless.
It should also be sounded that the current exercise is not a re-registration exercise, rather it is geared towards ensuring that voters get the opportunity to vote and for their votes to county in all elective positions.
We cannot fail to remind Rivers voters that they should not forget that their vote is the only weapon they have to determine the political future and fortunes of the state and Nigeria as a whole.
We expect that the exercise should be devoid of violence, acrimony and thuggery, while discipline, decorum and fairness should characterise the exercise in the state.
The political class must exhibit maturity and decency during the exercise and see the whole thing as critical to the success or otherwise of our political history as the country gears up for the 2015 general elections.
We note with joy efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state that tends to affirm their readiness to ensuring a hitch-free exercise in the state. It is on record that INEC has recruited adequate electoral and non-electoral adhoc staff to execute the prorgramme.
We expect that the security operatives will also be handy in ensuring a smooth and hitch-free exercise. This is a major political activity that all parties should be united on and assist in ensuring that everyone is encouraged to participate.
Finally, Nigeria is at a stage where every vote has become more important than ever. Both at the national and state levels the critical interest of the Rivers people will be at stake. The decision would not be reached by mere words, fight or indifference, the vote will speak. For that to happen, everyone must own a voters card now.