EU: Why We’re Interested in Nigeria’s Voter Registration

The European Union (EU), yesterday, explained that its interest in the ongoing campaign for voter registration in Nigeria was not more than getting more youths participate in electioneering and governance matters

Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has alerted prospective registrants that, there would be no issuance of new Permanent Voter Cards till January next year, although election starts in February, adding that, its immediate concern at the moment was the distribution of PVC of those that registered since 2019.

At the same time, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has said if 60 percent of Nigerian youths, which consists of 29 million registered voters, voted in next year’s elections, they would determine the new set of leaders by 2023.

Speaking at the preconcert briefing of the Youths Vote Count Conference taking place at the old parade ground, Area 10, Abuja, the Programme Director, of the EU, Laolu Olawumi, said they had no partisan interest, but only to ensure that youths got involved in areas of governance.

The EU Director of Programme said at the press conference that, “We only want people to get their PVCs and vote in subsequent elections. We have no partisan interest.”

She further said the European Union was standing with INEC and government of Nigeria by ensuring that the 60 per cent of the youth, which consisted more than 29 million voters, was to ensure that the youths were captured in the voter register and vote at subsequent elections

“We want the young people to be engaged during electioneering processes. Our action is nonpartisan but to get the youth in issues of elections and possibly, governance. Let’s help the youth get their permanent voters card (PVC) and let them come out and vote during election.