Gov Dickson, Wife Collect Permanent Voter's Cards, …Says Exercise Will Strengthen Electoral System

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson has described the ongoing nationwide voters’ registration and card collection exercise as part of measures by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen the nation’s electoral system

He has also observed that the success of the exercise could promote democratic practice in the country, as it is intended to widen the level of participation of the citizenry in future elections

Governor Dickson stated this, while speaking with newsmen shortly after he and his wife, Rachel, collected their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) at the Oruere 005 Polling Unit in his hometown, Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area

Hon. Dickson, who expressed satisfaction with the turnout of Bayelsans for the exercis, however urged the people especially those, who recently attained the statutory voting age of 18 years to take the exercise more seriously

Underscoring its importance, he said the state government declared
Wednesday a work-free day to enable workers and other people participate freely in the exercise to ensure its success in the state

Commenting on the challenges of the exercise, as indicated by preliminary reports at his disposal, the Governor urged those, who turned up, but were yet to get their permanent voters’ cards not to despair, assuring that relevant government agencies would take appropriate measures to address the shortcomings

He said, ” Today gives opportunity to everyone to participate in the electoral process. As you are aware, I announced a work-free day yesterday to enable workers and members of their families, who have voting right to be part of the process and to ensure that this exercise concludes successfully

“We take this exercise very seriously and I’m here with my wife to do just that; and I’m satisfied with the preliminary reports and so I’m aware that a lot of Bayelsans are turning up en masse, and I hope that they keep doing so to broaden and strengthen our democracy”