Senator Shehu Sani has suggested the introduction of a hefty fine for eligible voters who collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) but fail to cast their votes during elections.
In a recent tweet on his verified Twitter account, the former senator argued that such a policy would address the issue of low voter turnout that has plagued Nigerian elections.
Sani’s statement read, “Heavy fine should be imposed for those who collected PVC but refused to vote. That is the best way to address the problem of low voter turnout.”
The idea behind his proposal is to ensure that citizens who are registered to vote actively participate in the democratic process. Voter apathy has been a persistent problem in Nigeria, with turnout figures significantly low in recent elections. Sani’s suggestion of penalizing non-voters with fines could incentivize more Nigerians to fulfill their civic duty.
The statement has sparked a debate, with some supporting the idea as a necessary measure to strengthen democracy, while others view it as punitive and unrealistic, especially considering the logistical and economic challenges in the country. Critics argue that imposing fines could further disenfranchise citizens who may already face difficulties voting due to issues like insecurity, long distances to polling stations, or lack of trust in the electoral process.