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Senator Shehu Sani has sparked a heated debate with his recent suggestion that Nigerians with Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) who fail to vote in elections should be imposed with heavy fines as a punishment as a result of their action.
While his intention may be to address the issue of low voter turnout, his advice has been met with criticism and concern.
Additionally, many argue that such a measure would be unfair and insensitive, particularly in the current economic climate.
Furthermore, the senator’s proposal has been described as unrealistic and out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
With the recent hike in fuel prices and the general economic uncertainty, many citizens are barely able to make ends meet. Imposing fines on those who cannot afford to vote would only add to their burdens.
Moreover, some argue that the senator’s advice may have been well intentioned; as he stated,
“Heavy fines 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.”
However, the implementation of such a policy would require careful consideration of the economic realities faced by Nigerians.
As one critic pointed out, “You can’t impose fines on people who are struggling to survive. It’s like adding salt to injury.”
Moreover, the government would need to address the underlying issues affecting voter turnout, such as voter apathy and lack of trust in the electoral process.
Until then, imposing fines on non-voters would be seen as an insensitive and unrealistic solution.
As Sani said, “That is the best way to address the problem of low voter turnout,” but the question remains: is it a feasible and fair solution?
