The All Rights Foundation (TAF) Africa has called for inclusive participation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria’s electoral process.

The foundation made the call on Tuesday during a Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise at the Mega IDP Camp in Makurdi, Benue State, organised by TAF Africa in collaboration with INEC.

The Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of TAF Africa, Terfa Tyokase, said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that displaced persons were not excluded from the democratic process because of their circumstances.

Mr Tyokase said every eligible Nigerian, irrespective of displacement or disability, deserved the opportunity to register and vote.

“Our objective is that no one should be left behind. Every voice should be heard if we are to practise true democracy. Displacement should not deny anyone the constitutional right to vote. Democracy is only meaningful when every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate,” he said.

Mr Tyokase said Benue State had more than 50 IDP camps, many of them unofficial, adding that the mega camp exercise was designed as a model to create awareness and encourage wider voter registration among displaced persons.

He stated that many camp residents already had Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) but lost them while fleeing attacks, making replacement of the cards a priority.

He urged the media to intensify public awareness on the CVR exercise ahead of the July 10 deadline to enable more displaced persons to register.

Speaking, Head of Voter Education at INEC’s Benue office, Adeniji Abubakar, assured IDPs that every eligible person who presents themselves for registration before the close of the exercise would be attended to.

He said the commission had already conducted registration in several IDP camps across the state and would continue to ensure that no eligible voter was left behind.

“I want to assure you that each and every person who presents himself or herself for registration will be attended to before the end of the exercise.

“Nobody will be left out. Voting is their civic right, and no eligible Nigerian should be denied that right because of displacement,” he said.

Mr Abubakar explained that while some displaced persons already possessed PVCs, others required fresh registration or replacement of lost or damaged cards.

On the possibility of creating temporary polling units in IDP camps, he said the issue would be determined by the commission as part of its electoral policy at the appropriate time.

He, however, assured the displaced persons that adequate arrangements would be made to ensure all registered voters exercised their franchise during elections.

Mr Abubakar commended the camp leadership and residents for their orderly conduct and cooperation, adding that INEC had deployed competent personnel and functional equipment to ensure a smooth registration process.

One of the beneficiaries, Nancy Iorwudu, thanked INEC and TAF Africa for bringing the registration exercise to the camp.

She said the exercise would enable her and other displaced persons to vote for leaders who would restore peace and facilitate their return to their ancestral communities.

“We thank the government for bringing this exercise to us. I want to vote for someone who will help us return to our village,” she said.

 (NAN)