Stakeholders in Kano State have intensified advocacy for mass participation in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, describing the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as a powerful tool for determining the future of leadership and strengthening democratic governance.
The call was made during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Ad-hoc Committee on Public Sensitisation on the Importance of Voter Registration Cards across the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano State in collaboration with Community Development Associations from Bagwai, Bichi, Dawakin Tofa, Ghari, Rimin Gado, Shanono and Tsanyawa Local Government Areas. The meeting was held at the Bichi Local Government Secretariat.
Addressing participants, the Speaker of the Bichi Local Government Legislative Council, Alhaji Hamza Sule Maifata, urged eligible residents who are yet to register to take advantage of the ongoing exercise before its scheduled conclusion on July 10.
He stressed that the voter card remains one of the strongest instruments citizens possess to influence leadership through the ballot box.
“No matter the situation you find yourself in, your voter card determines your ability to support or change leadership through your vote,” he said.
Maifata reaffirmed the commitment of the local government to ensuring that every eligible voter obtains a PVC, attributing the progress recorded in Bichi to the support of community leaders, elected representatives and traditional institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Malam Usman Bello explained that the voter registration exercise covers first-time registration for eligible citizens aged 18 and above, replacement of lost or damaged cards, correction of personal information and transfer of polling units.
He encouraged residents to begin the registration process online before visiting registration centres for biometric capture, saying the approach would reduce waiting time and improve efficiency.
Bello also highlighted the growing relevance of the voter card beyond elections, urging citizens to safeguard the document as an important means of identification.
Representing the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chairman of the Committee on Voter Card Collection, Alhaji Tajo Muhammad Othman, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Public Enlightenment, Alhaji Isma’il Shehu Gurjiya, said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf directed the statewide mobilisation campaign to ensure wider participation in the registration exercise.
He disclosed that Bichi currently records one of the highest rates of voter card ownership in Kano State and urged other local government areas to emulate the achievement.
According to him, an accurate voter register contributes not only to credible elections but also to effective planning in education, healthcare, agriculture, security and economic development.
Participants at the meeting, including representatives of government agencies, community development associations, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities and traditional institutions, commended the initiative and offered recommendations aimed at increasing public awareness and boosting voter registration across Kano State.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of Tsanyawa Local Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Ishaq Yan’awaki, representatives of seven other local government chairmen, directors, heads of departments, community leaders, youths and women groups, reaffirming a collective commitment to promoting civic participation and strengthening democracy through increased voter registration.
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