ANAMBRA INEC HOLDS LAST INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH STAKEHOLDERS

Barely four days to the long awaited election day for the presidential, senatorial, and house of representative elections, Anambra INEC boss held another of a series of interaction sessions with the state’s stakeholders to update them on the status quo of the body in view of the elections and sensitize them on why it is imperative to play their own parts to enjoy a free, fair and credible as well as peaceful election exercise.

Addressing the large crowd in attendance, the REC shared the INEC chairman’s goodwill message with them and then went ahead to careful explain the electioneering procedure cum codes of conduct expected of all the electorates and politicians. He made it clear that it is not the National Electoral Commission does not want anybody to fall short of the law as the sledge hammer of the law will spare no one regardless of social status, who disregards the dictates of the electoral codes. He warned parents not to allow their children to be used as political thugs as those who dare get lured into any form of political gangsterism during this period would not succeed but would only end of under the clutch of the law enforcement agencies. He also set the records straight concerning the nature of March 8^th election which he said would feature the presidential, senatorial and house of representative elections. He said the accreditation process would commence at 8am using the smart card reader on the D-days and end at 1pm when the voting process would commence. He added that effort is being made to ensure that they achieve close to hundred percent distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards and that so far they have achieved 91% already.  The REC also added that he wishes that the candidates would conduct themselves properly on the D-day and that at the end of the exercise the losers congratulate the winners as, according to him, ‘it is not a do or die affair as one amongst the many must emerge the winner finally.’

Also speaking during the event was ACP, Joseph Agudosi, who represented the Commissioner for police, Anambra State. He stated that all the security agencies in the state are united in the noble cause of ensuring safety and peace before, during and after the elections in the state. He expressed the security agencies’ resolve to bring whoever is found around the polling units or with incrimating materials like INEC materials when he/she is not an INEC official, to book regardless of who the person might be. He enjoined his colleagues in the force to ensure they remain in their posts as any security agent found in an area where he is not posted on that day or with a ‘Money bag’ parading where he was not assigned by his seniors would be arrested. He also said that whoever is found sharing money at or near any polling unit will also be arrested. Speaking on the same note, Mr Agudosi  called on the influential members of the society to act right and avoid fomenting trouble on the D-days as any form of unrest would adversely affect all and sundry . He reiterated that the electorate has nothing to be scared of as long they conduct themselves peacefully and do not over step their boundaries. He revealed that armed men would be posted before the Election Day to all the senatorial headquarters as well as strategic points in the state to search all vehicles as well as patrol teams with communication devices to ensure that any form of argument, fight or trouble of all sorts is nipped in the bud.  

Inquiries were made by the stakeholders present concerning the role of the smart card reader, given that the election would not be conducted electronically. Responding to that, the REC, with an ICT official attached to his team demonstrating, explained that the smart card reader would play the role of identifying genuine PVCs as well as whether a PVC is meant for a particular polling unit or not. Also, concerning the       question about the Internally Displaced Persons’ voting process, he said that the arrangement for their exercise of civic duties has been made only in the three states affected by the insurgent and that those who had to leave the north for their hometowns due to the unrest had been asked to transfer their PVC and that those PVCs are being transferred and issued to their owners, which collection would continue till March 27^th.

Speaking on behalf of the executive governor of the state, the Chief of Staff representing Chief Willie Obiano at the forum expressed the governor’s regret for being absent. He shared the governor’s appreciation to Ndi-Anambra for responding to the call for collection of their PVCs and enjoined them to respond the same way in exercising their civic duties. This, he said, would interpret to a successful outing during the election. He appreciated the community leaders for the part they played in actualizing this saying that they should continue in the good work. He quickly added that the electorate should be assured that the government of Anambra state is resolved to secure lives and properties during the election period.