The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Katsina state said so far it had issued over 111,302 permanent voters cards, PVC, to voters who registered between April and December 2017 while on the other hand registered 127,743 fresh voters in the current civic registration exercise
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, who made the above disclosure yesterday in an address at a state consultative workshop organised in partnership with INEC Youth Strategy Development, added that the number for the newly registered, excludes those on transfers or lost their cards previously, corrected or defaced candidates
He said “we still have 19 more days to go especially in the senatorial zones. Everyone who is issued a card is entitled to vote and be voted for”.
“In the course of the campaign for civic voters registration exercise we engaged civic society groups, relevant stakeholders and the media to rally support and ensure the success of the campaign’’
Earlier in an address at the occasion, the senior program officer for the association, Ibrahim Farouk, said the consultative forum was organised as part of effort aimed at providing collaborative, open and inclusive space for the young people in different political spheres of life
Farouk also maintained that the meeting will also provide avenue for assessing youth participation and engagement in the electoral process
The Senior Programme Officer further used the occasion to announce the plan to host state consultative meetings that will involve participants from 30 states and staff of INEC which will focus on youth participation and the opportunity for media organisations to share their experiences
He said “INEC youth strategy is to be developed to articulate and coordinate youth programmes, increase civic participation in youths in the electoral process in a manner that appeal to youth and ensure inclusiveness”