On Saturday, February 25, 2023, Nigerians will decide who out of 18 presidential candidates gets to live in Aso rock for the next four years. In what will become one of the most important days in the country’s political affairs, electorates will have to leave their home and join queues at their registered polling units to cast their votes for their preferred candidate.
It has been widely reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a record number of new registered voters for this year’s elections meaning there will be a good number of people who just reached voting age, coming from the diasporas to cast votes or just turning out as a first time voter regardless of the age expect to meet longer queues than ever before. Harsh weather conditions are also expected as not every polling unit can provide shelter for the weather or security against unsuspecting criminal activities as heard in the past.
With that said, here are some essential starter packs for electorates going out to vote on election day.
Personal Voters Card (PVC)
This tops the list of essentials to bring on election day. For some people, getting their PVC was a struggle which took them months. INEC requires that electorates bring to the polling units their PVC for accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System popularly abbreviated as BVAS. check to be sure if you carried the wrong card as the size of the voters card can be mistaken for an ATM card or Drivers license.
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Water and light refreshment
Be sure you have a water bottle to store water when you get thirsty and snacks to nibble on for energy. Biscuits, energy bars, cookies, small chops packs are favorites to ensure you’re having as much energy as possible to stand and wait your turn without feeling overfed and scrambling to visit the nearest bathroom.
Comfortable wears
Wearing bulky or overly noticeable clothing should be avoided. It’s not a party where you should wear your best attire; it’s an electoral procedure. Wear comfy clothing, and never forget to wear a smile. Voting gears are available online from vendors like “Bcode,” including “Skechers Gowalk” footwear, face caps, waist pouches, and water bottles. Sunglasses are crucial since they shield the eyes from the sunlight.
Power Banks
Power banks are now a vital piece of technology that are useful when your accessories, like phones, run out of battery life. When it comes to highly crucial issues and situations and you need your cell phone to function, it can be a life-saving instrument. You’ll need your phones to pass the time as you wait to cast your ballots and to record any illicit activities that might be used as proof of election tampering. It should be remembered that the use of mobile phones at voting cubicles to take images of votes is highly prohibited by INEC. In summary you can bring your phones to the polling unit but avoid using them anywhere close to the voting cubicle or ballot boxes.
Umbrella and rain coats
In some parts of Nigeria where the weather forecast on election day shows thunderstorms, it’s advised to carry along umbrellas and portable raincoats. Footwears like crocs and rubber palm slippers are also recommended. Umbrellas will also be useful to protect against sunburn for people with sensitive skin.
It is advised by INEC to shun vote buyers and election misconducts in order to have a free and credible election process that will be talked about at least for the next four years.
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