2019: INEC seeks collaboration with CSOs to improve electoral process in Ebonyi

Tue, Nov 13, 2018 | By publisher


Politics

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called for closer collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), to improve the electoral process in Ebonyi.

Prof. Godswill Obioma, the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ebonyi, made the call in Abakaliki on Tuesday at a meeting between the commission and members of the CSOs.

Obioma said that meeting tagged ‘INEC/CSOs Situation Room,’ was designed to brief members of the CSOs on the preparations by the commission to ensure the conduct of free, transparent, fair and credible elections in Ebonyi in 2019.

He said that the meeting was also intended to explore areas of collaboration and partnership with members of the CSOs.

He called on the CSOs to assist the commission in sensitisation, mobilisation and enlightenment of eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

He also charged them to use their various platforms to educate and inform the public on the activities of the commission as well as disseminate information about  preparations for the 2019 general elections.

Obioma who decried the poor rate of collection of PVCs by prospective voters in the state, urged the CSOs to develop strategies that could help the commission to give out the voter cards to their legitimate owners.

He said that the PVCs remained the only qualification and authority left with the electorate to exercise their franchise.

“We urge you to assist the commission in mobilising the electorate, especially at the rural areas to go out and collect their PVCs which is their only right of franchise to vote in the elections.

“The just concluded display of voters register revealed that many prospective voters have not collected  their PVCs and this is not good for our democracy.

“Out of 131,404 printed PVCs for Ebonyi, only 36, 145 are collected while about 95,259 are yet to be claimed by their legitimate owners.

“We in the commission, therefore solicit your collaboration and partnership in improving the electoral process”, Obioma said.

He said that 35 political parties fielded candidates for the governorship election in Ebonyi, while 303 candidates were fielded for House of Assembly by the same number of political parties.

He added that 10 candidates did not have political parties sponsoring them. (NAN)

– Nov. 13, 2018 @ 17:56 GMT |

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