NKEM Okeke, Anambra State deputy governor, has appealed to INEC, security agents to ensure a peaceful, free and credible general elections.

Okeke made the appeal during `Stakeholders’ Forum’ on the 2019 General Election organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission,  INEC, at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka on February 12.

The stakeholder’s forum was aimed at informing the public on INEC preparations and processes for the 2019 general elections.

“I commend the level of preparedness shown by INEC,’’ the deputy governor said.

He pointed out that the issue of faulty card readers would be a major challenge during the polls.

The deputy governor, then, urged INEC to devise means of handling problems that might arise at voting centres across the state.

Okeke also tasked the election observers on the need to be at the voting centres in order to give first-hand information on voting activities and not writing their reports from the comfort of their hotel rooms.

He called on Anambra people to come out en masse to vote, at scheduled voting time from between 8am to 2pm, assuring them of their security.

“I pray for a safe and peaceful process, no loss of lives, injuries or accidents during this election,’’ he stressed.

Nkwachukwu Orji, Anambra Resident Election Commissioner of INEC, said that a total number of 5,527,093, permanent voter cards, PVC, have been collected in Anambra.

He also explained that 1,913,044 PVC’s have yet to be collected in Anambra as at last Sunday in spite of the extension for collection of PVC.

On INECs preparedness, Orji said that 25,750 and 12 adhoc staff have been deployed for the 2019 General Election in Anambra.

“At least four adhoc staff at each voting centre in all 5,720 voting centres in Anambra.’’

He, then, explained that the decision of INEC to recruit two sets of collation officers was to fast track the process of collation and curb delay in announcing the results.

While reassuring of INEC’s integrity on peaceful and transparent election, he called for election to be seen as a multi-stakeholders assignment.

Mustapha Dandaura, newly assigned commissioner of police, assured of security of INEC, citizens, as well as election materials.

He said police and other security agencies would be on ground at every polling booth to provide adequate security.

“Police patrol team will also be moving around to monitor voting. Candidates should not be seen with thugs at election polling booths, as well as IPOB members,’’ he cautioned.

The commissioner gave out numbers to call in case of emergency during the election; they are 07039194332, 08060970639 for immediate response.

Those in attendance at the stakeholder’s forum include Civil Society Organisations, Election Observers domestic and foreign.

Others are Persons with Disabilities, Traditional Rulers and representatives of political parties, INEC officials, security agents, the media and religious leaders.

BE

– Feb. 14, 2019 @ 17:00 GMT |