A renowned socio-political group, The Collective Movement (TCM) has called on Edo State residents to exercise their right to vote and defend their votes with their lives, if need be, saying it is their fundamental right in a pure democracy.
The National Coordinator of TCM, Mr Collins Young, advised the residents to ensure that they vote for a political party and candidate of their choice, taking cognizance of the current suffering Nigerians are facing.
Young who averred his position in a press release by the group’s Director of Media, Mazi Edwin Nwachukwu, noted that this call to action is crucial in ensuring that their voices are heard and choices reflected in the governance of their state.
According to Young, in a pure democratic setting, voting is considered a cornerstone of freedom and a key aspect of citizen participation.
He added that the residents need to play an active role in the electoral process, making informed decisions that would shape the future of their state.
“If the residents exercise their right to vote, they can hold their leaders accountable and influence the direction of their state. Also, it’s crucial to defend this right and ensure that all eligible voters can participate freely and fairly.’’
However, Young advised security agencies to guide against the tactics of politicians limiting access to voting.
‘’They should work against electoral violence by ensuring that no form of intimidation or harm to voters or candidates occurs during the election,’’ he said.