Michael Onwuka, Enugu
In a bid to boost citizens’ political participation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Elite Group, in Iheaka, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State has introduced raffle draws to boost participation in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the area.
The patron of the group, Dr. Felix Ugwu, said during the maiden raffle draw on Monday that the gesture was meant to encourage the people of the community to discharge their civic responsibilities.
Ugwu said that he had observed with dismay the low level of registration of voters in the South-East in general and Enugu State in particular.
The philanthropist, who sponsored the raffle draw, said that it was time, well meaning politicians in the region and state encouraged their people to participate in the CVR.
“Although I am not a politician but the situation in the region and Enugu State is worrisome and we need to find a way to address it.
“We cannot be crying of marginalisation and still fail to participate in a process that would enable us choose our political leaders,” he said.
Ugwu said that he had to partner with the local youth group in order to arouse the consciousnesses and interest of their people in the political process.
“I noticed that the politicians are missing the mark. Then I decided that in order to get our people interested in the CVR, there must be incentives.
“Any member of the community who shows evidence of registration will automatically have a ticket for the raffle draws.
“Once you have the ticket, you must surely win something,” he said.
Ugwu commended the group for their efforts at ensuring that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were assisted to seamlessly carry out the CVR in the community.
Earlier, the Chairman of the group, Mr Vitus Nnamani, said that the exercise was meant to boost voter registration in Likke/Akautara and Ugo/Ekoyi Wards in Iheaka community.
According to the former Secretary to Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, once your registration is located within the two wards, you stand a chance to win a prize.
He commended the sponsor of the raffle draw for buying into the initiative which he said had boosted participation in the CVR in the area.
Ikengaonline reports that some of the prizes won during the raffle draw included plasma television, sewing machine, refrigerator and mobile phones. Others are electric irons, 12kg gas cylinders etc.
One of the winners, Mrs Ngozi Asogwa, said that she was overwhelmed with joy.
Asogwa, who won a sewing machine said that she never expected to go home with such item when she arrived the venue of the draws.
She appealed to their people to participate in the CVR and also vote during elections.
