BEVERLY HILLS, October 05, (THEWILL) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that the November 18 governorship election in Anambra would be a test case of flawless electoral conduct by the commission in Nigeria.
Olawale Uzzi, the Director in-charge of Voters’ Education Department, INEC, Abuja made the position of the commission known during Voter Education Providers Implementation Meeting held on Thursday in Awka.
Uzzi said that the commission required a total of 6,200 card reader machines for the conduct of the Anambra election, noting, of the number, more than 5, 000 machines were working optimally.
He harped on the imperative of effective participation saying low involvement of voters in an election was a clear indicator that electoral conduct was poor.
He, however, called on the participants, especially the media, to partner with INEC to mobilize, enlighten and educate the masses on the need for them to take part in the election.
Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, the Anambra State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner said the commission was doing everything possible to ensure the people have confidence in the process.
Represented by Mr Charles Mbanaja, the state INEC administrative secretary, Orji appealed to the voters to ensure they take part in the exercise, adding that it would be free, and fair.
Mr Ebenezar Olawale, the State Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) commended the effort of INEC in carrying out enlightenment campaigns.
Olawale said NYSC would provide needed support to INEC by allowing willing corps members to serve as ad-hoc staff during the election, saying “we have more than 10, 000 NYSC members, but we are not sure if all of them would be willing to participate.”
He said his office was already in contact with NYSC headquarters on possible arrangement to mobilise corps members from neighbouring states to beef up the number required by INEC.
INEC has also stated that the Ekiti State Governorship election will hold on July 14, 2018, while Osun State Governorship election will hold September 22, 2018.
This was disclosed by INEC National Commissioner, Solomon Soyebi, saying commencement date of campaigns for Ekiti Governorship election is April 15, 2018 while campaigns for Osun election is scheduled to start on June 24, 2018.
