Political Scientists Urge Nigerians To Get Voter Cards

Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) yesterday urged Nigerians who have attained the voting age to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

It equally urged eligible voters who had lost their voter cards to re- register to enable them participate in the 2027 general elections.

The NPSA made the appeal in a statement signed by its president, Prof. Hassan Saliu and made available to newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara State.

It noted that “while the current political landscape may not meet expectations of Nigerians for rapid development, abandoning the democratic process may not be the solution.”
It recalled that: “INEC, despite having 93.47 million registered voters before the 2023 elections, the figure pales in comparison to improved voter participation and engagement, which stood at 24.9 million, representing about 30 per cent of the registered voters after the round of presidential elections in 2023.

“The voter turnout rates at presidential elections were approximately 36.75% in 2015, but plummeted to approximately 34.74% in 2019 and 26.72% in 2023. Indeed, the disappointing figure for the participatory level in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election underscores the need for increased civic participation.

“The announced programme of pre-physical online registration and on-land registration procedures presents an opportunity for more Nigerians to participate in the electoral process. The pre-physical online registration allows citizens to register from the comfort of their homes, while the on-land registration procedures is the concluding stage of the registration process. By leveraging technology and improving voter registration, INEC can enhance the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.

“The Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) recognises that citizens’ disillusionment with politicians’ self-interest and unfulfilled promises contributes to their withdrawal from the electoral process. However, democracy is a collective endeavour that benefits not only the current generation but also future ones. The active participation of citizens can shape the future through forward-thinking policies and programmes.

“While the current political landscape may not meet expectations for rapid development, abandoning the democratic process may not be the solution. Instead, sustained engagement and participation are essential for achieving meaningful outcomes. Democracy is a continuous process that holds the potential for change, requiring collective effort and commitment to yield tangible results.

“We, therefore, call on Nigerians to embrace the programme as the first leg in participatory democracy. The role of citizens is crucial, as the possession of voter’s cards would ultimately qualify them to vote during elections. In the long run, they will transform into an electorate with more stakes in the electoral process than just being voters,” he said.