Value Your Vote Naija

Election is an important mechanism and determining factor of the democratic processes in every society. This is because it provides citizens with the unique opportunity to choose freely their political leaders and allocate power peacefully. 

Under democratic governance, the people hold the power, and by way of delegating this power, they engage in an electoral process, which is backed up by law, to choose who represents them in government. Currently, there is a growing trend of vote buying in our elections, which is undermining the integrity of the elections. Capacity, competence, and character are no longer parameters for assessing electoral candidates. 

Cash-for-vote or ‘see and buy’ is emerging as the major determinant of electoral choice. Besides being illegal, as explicitly stated in Nigeria’s electoral laws, vote buying also has a tendency to aggravate corruption in public offices, as those who hold public mandates are made to seek corrupt means of enriching themselves for future elections. 

This menace is undermining electoral choices and could imperil Nigeria’s democracy if not abated. Value Your Vote Naija is an Initiative of YES Initiative, designed to promote credible, transparent, and legitimate elections through mass sensitization and capacity building on key issues that negatively impact elections, such as vote buying or inducement, and improve the inclusivity of youth, women, and vulnerable population participation. And to reduce election-related violence and voter apathy.