An international election observer group, Pan African Women Projects (PAWP), in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday December 16, 2022 sensitised market women on the need to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) in order to vote in the 2023 general elections.
Speaking at the event inside Lafia modern market, Nasarawa state, Dr. Eno Ben-Udensi, head of mission, PAWP, said the essence of the sensitisation was to improve women participation in the electoral process.
“PAWP is a non-governmental organisation of women from the 54 nations of Africa including Nigeria. Our mission today in Nasarawa state is to sensitise market women from the 13 LGAs to get their Permanent Voter Cards now that INEC has commenced distribution,” Ben-Udensi said.
She urged women who recently registered for their PVCs to ensure that they collect them and vote credible leaders in 2023.
Udensi explained that the eligible voters can collect their cards from INEC offices across the 13 local government areas of the state.
“PAWP as an observer group with INEC has observed that over the years, women who mostly turn up at the polling units to vote during elections are from the grassroots, and majority of them are the market women. So, our mission here is very critical and intentional,” she said.
On her part, the Gender Desk Officer of INEC in Nasarawa state, Bridget Abuga, thanked PAWP for the sensitisation efforts and assured that the commission would conduct free, fair and credible elections.
She therefore, urged the women to take advantage of the opportunity to exercise their franchise.
