1. Much Ado About PVCs! Edem Ossai, January 24, 2015

2. The subject of the collection of INEC Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) is one of the most discussed issues in the Nigerian media in recent times. From aspects of INECs poor handling of the exercise to the poor rate of turn out of the electorate for collection, analysts evidently cannot exhaust the topic. This underscores the importance of the exercise.

3. Factors affecting the Collection of PVCs: Common perceptions and Sentiments - The elections are going to be rigged or predetermined one way or the other, so what is the point?

4. None of the political candidates is a credible/suitable option, so why should I waste my time going to cast a vote

5. Politicians are simply not worth wasting time or trust on. The minute they enter the office they forget the people who voted them in and act in their personal interest alone

6. Factors against PVC collection (Contd) What has the government done for me in the past anyway to justify why I should concern myself with elections? After all I provide my own housing, electricity, water, neighbourhood roads, security, etc. I visit private hospitals, send my children to private schools, all at my personal expense. The cost of casting my vote (i.e. Leaving the office obtain PVC, standing in Long queues, risk of violence by thugs) far outweighs any purported benefit associated with casting one single vote

7. Poor organization by INEC Absence of INEC officials at the initial polling units for collection Failure to issue cards for numerous citizens who registered previously in 2011 Poor information dissemination and service assistance for citizens with PVC challenges (e.g. Loss of temporary card, relocation etc)

8. Negative conduct of politicians Reports of pre-election violence (shooting supporters, violence at campaign rallies, activities of thugs, bombing and burning campaign offices etc)

9. Inflammatory and hate comments by political candidates which could incite violence and therefore discourage voter turn-out Non emphasis on issues-based campaigns which leave the voter feeling detached and non-commital

10. All we ask for...?

11. What are ‘they’ there for Sef...?

12. What have ‘politicians’ done/what will they do for us...? Health Care Delivery – Education – Employment/Opportunities 4 business creation Security – Income and cost of living – Infrastructural development – Affordable housing – Global competiveness – Social services and standard of living etc

13. Quite evidently, the moral rationale (patriotism, civic duty, Kantian principle of universal law blah blah blah) for voting during elections is not sufficient to sway the reasoning of the sceptical, disillusioned, or otherwise passive members of the electorate. So what about the PRUDENTIAL RATIONALE?

14. Lets talk about some key points - -Enlightened Self Interest -Objective best candidate ( maybe not ‘ideal’) -Hope as opposed to dead resignation - The “Shaving Head Principle”

15. Elections are an ironical subject. While it is often erroneously represented as though the voter is doing the politician a favour, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. It is in actual fact a rare chance each citizen gets to act purely in his (her) own calculated and informed interest. So... act in your interest, Pick up your PVC Go out to cast your Vote Exercise your POWER!