By Chigozie Uzosike, Owerri
As part of its efforts to ensure a smooth and hitch free 2019 election, as well as ensure that Imolites are conscious of their electoral rights and duties, an NGO, Development Dynamics under its recent project, ‘Strengthening Citizens Engagement in the Electoral Process’ (SCEEP) and in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has successfully, held sensitization and awareness involving ward leaders, President Generals of various communities and community leaders at the Orlu Local Government Secretariat, Imo State.
Speaking during the event, the Program Director of SCEEP, Dr. Jude Ohanele charged members of the community to ensure they get their voters cards early enough, adding that if they are conscious of these electoral processes, things will begin to change.
He advised citizens to shun the idea of collecting money from aspiring leaders, advising that they should work hand in hand with INEC to ensure electoral processes are not hijacked but follow standard process.
The Registration Officer, INEC Orlu, Mrs. Ogbenna Chinwoke expressed dismay at the turnout, informing that Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are not yet out adding that when they are ready, media channels will be used to disseminate information to the public for collection.
Mrs. Ogbenna further informed that registration is currently ongoing at the ward level and even local government adding that misplacement or loss of cards requires an affidavit which is taken to the head office, Abuja, with no fee attached except for the payment for the affidavit at any competent court.
She insisted that, voters cards are specifically for voting and not for bank or corporate matters, while charging the leaders to go back and sensitize their followers on the need to get their voters cards.
While fielding questions from participants, she informed that the reason some booths were cancelled was because they either didn’t meet up the standard procedure required of them or their number either exceeded or wasn’t up to the number expected, while urging them to inform their followers to pick up their PVCs, as there are lots of them ready for collection at the Local government.
Development Dynamics is a Non-Governmental Organization which works with stakeholders to bring about free and fair election, elimination of violence in Nigeria.
Photo: Development Dynamics staff with participants at the SCEEP sensitization program held in conjunction with INEC recently in Orlu LGA, Imo State.
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