The Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) on Saturday, continued its statewide civic awareness campaign ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra, with a strong message delivered to traders at Nkpor Market in Idemili North Local Government Area.
It is asking Anambra traders to shun vote-selling and conduct themselves in a manner that will promote peace before, during, and after the election.
SIDEC is implementing the voter education under the Inclusive Mobilization for Participation, Advocacy and Civic Transformation (Project IMPACT), in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK-FCDO).
Speaking during the voter education session, SIDEC Finance Officer, Chioma Enwereuzor, emphasized that elections must be inclusive and accessible to all eligible residents, irrespective of status, age or physical condition.
She reminded traders that the law provides for priority voting for persons with disabilities (PWDs), elderly citizens, visibly pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
“Election day is not a competition of strength or survival of the fittest. It is a democratic exercise.
“If you see a PWD, an elderly person, or a pregnant woman, the law says they should be allowed to vote first. Kindly abide. That is what makes the process fair and human.”
Enwereuzor added that inclusivity in voting is a core requirement for the legitimacy of any election, insisting that democracy must carry every voice along, not just the strongest or the wealthiest.
For his part, SIDEC Project Officer, Bruno Chimnaecherem, cautioned the traders against the rising trend of vote buying in the state.
Chimnaecherem described vote trading as a direct assault on the secrecy of the ballot and the future of the voter and the community.
“When you sell your vote, you are selling your tomorrow for a token today,” he said.
“The Electoral Act is clear — both the buyer and seller of votes are criminals under the law. Do not allow anyone to use poverty or hardship to buy your conscience.”
Chimnaecherem further warned against voter apathy and election-day violence, noting that citizens must refuse to be manipulated or used as tools by desperate politicians.
“Do not let anyone drag you into problems that will not add any value to your life,” he cautioned.
“Election is not war. It is not a do-or-die affair. Violence only destroys and keeps a state backward. Resist before, during and after the election.”
Traders used the occasion to seek explanations and clarifications on the voting processes even as they expressed dissatisfaction about the impact of technical glitches on the process.
One of them, Nwoye Titus, said, “What happened during the last Presidential election has increased distrust for INEC. They need to prove in this election that we can still trust them.
“I plead with INEC and security agencies to make adequate preparations to be sure that everything is in order and there will be no logistic challenge that will disenfranchise many citizens,” another trader, Christiana Ujumadu, advised.
The traders expressed willingness to cast their votes but called for enabling atmosphere to do so.
