The APC in Lagos State on Monday held a sensitisation campaign on Electoral Law and Offences for market men and women, artisans and traders’ associations from markets across the state.
The Lagos State Chairman of APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi told the participants that the programme was to educate them on the electoral laws and mode of voting, using the newly introduced Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the 2023 general elections.
The sensitisation programme organised by the APC State Campaign Council Directorate of Mobilisation had in attendance, market leaders, traders associations and artisans drawn from markets across the state.
The state chairman said the programme was a continuation of the party’s engagement with the people on the mode of voting in the forthcoming elections.
“This is the first time we are using the BVAS and we are sensitising market men and women to know their roles and rights on election day.
“We need to equip them to have pre-knowledge of what lies ahead of the election. So, we are encouraging our market leaders to talk to their members, children, friends and families to collect their PVCs because, without it, voting is not possible.”
Ojelabi reminded them that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would end in three days.
He, therefore, urged them to talk to their children, friends and families about the need to collect the PVCs.
The chairman said the number of markets in Lagos state was a result of the creation of additional 37 Local Council Development Areas, adding that they would be moving to the markets soon to drive their mobilisation efforts.
Ojelabi said the party was focusing on the Feb. 25 and March 11 elections, adding that the party had been working with its candidates in Lagos.
According to him, as we are doing this, it is important to ensure that the people vote right and adhere to the electoral law which is why we are here sensitising the traders.
Disclosing the electoral offences to them, Mr Sodiq Ademola of the party’s Directorate of Legal Services said unlawful possession of other people’s PVC, buying, selling or dealing of PVC was an offence punishable under the electoral law.
Ademola said: “It is an offence punishable for any voter on the day of the election day to canvass for votes, solicit for votes or wear party symbol at the polling unit.
“Also, impersonation or underage voting, abusive language, slanderous, intemperate insinuations or innuendos or an attack on other political parties or candidates.
“No physical force or coercion and thuggery. No armed private security organisations or vanguard.
The wilful destruction of ballot papers or result forms or ballot boxes or other election materials is all offences under the law.”
Ademola said it was an offence to give one’s PVC to another person for use in an election.
