Making your vote rely within the forthcoming 2023 common elections ought to be the precedence of each Nigerian who actually wishes to see a change within the nation. The 2023 elections which have been described by many because the defining issue for restoration and restructuring are upon us. As Nigerians prepare to go to the polls, the query nevertheless stays, Will my vote rely?
The reply is nevertheless not farfetched as there are numerous causes that may make your vote not rely within the 2023 elections. A few of them embrace:
When you fail to gather your PVC
Many Nigerians maintain lamenting that their votes received’t rely within the elections. This assertion nevertheless turns into a actuality after they fail to gather their Everlasting Voter Playing cards (PVCs). A few of them are unwilling to depart the consolation of their homes to gather their voter playing cards, due to the stress, insecurity and varied issue which will come their method. Whereas those that are prepared discover it tough to gather them after varied makes an attempt. The reality is electorates who don’t have voter playing cards shouldn’t complain of unhealthy management as a result of they did not train their civil proper when given the chance.
When you fail to go to the right polling unit
After amassing their voter playing cards some folks use them for opening financial institution accounts and different issues. Quite than finding their right polling unit, some residents favor to go to a polling unit nearer to them. While you do this, your vote is not going to rely. One of many steps listed within the INEC voting guide states that “an INEC official will ask in your PVC and ensure you’re listed within the Voters Register.” In case your identify is just not within the voter register, you received’t be certified to vote and your vote received’t rely.
When you fail to thumbprint rightly throughout the field
Going to the precise polling unit is one factor, voting rightly is one other factor. After going via the verification course of, your finger can be stained with a spot of indelible ink to allow you to thumbprint within the field assigned to your most well-liked candidate. When you fail to do it rightly, your votes can be counted as invalid.
For common elections, the ink could be utilized to any of the relevant 5 fingers, however within the case of Stand-alone Elections, it will be utilized to the left thumb of a voter). Take a look on the following photos:
In case your poll field is stolen by political thugs
In earlier occasions, there have been circumstances of electoral violence which have marred the election course of. One such is the stealing of poll containers by unscrupulous components. If you’re dutiful sufficient to forged your vote, and the poll field that incorporates your vote is stolen from the polling unit, your votes is not going to rely. It is because your votes is not going to be among the many counted variety of votes.
If the election is rigged
Elections will be rigged in varied methods. One notable method is the threatening of INEC officers. Political contenders who intend to malign the election course of can threaten electoral officers, particularly the Returning Officers, charged with the accountability of saying the outcomes. As soon as the lives of returning officers are threatened, they have an inclination to do the bidding of the political participant. This could result in the compromise of INEC’s logistic course of, and the manipulation of outcomes and collation facilities.