INEC strategies against electoral apathy in Anambra

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, said on Thursday that the commission would organise a series of workshops to eliminate electoral apathy.

Speaking at a two-day workshop in Awka, Onukaogu said INEC would collaborate with the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) to organise the workshops.

He identified one of the causes of the apathy as excessive use of security personnel during elections at the polling units.

Onukaogu also identified harassment at the wards and local government collation centres as giving rise to the apathy.

“I want to assure the electorate in this state that their votes will count this time round.

“Let me make it clear that the election will start on schedule, the polling centres will be manned by adequately trained personnel and all our actions will be transparent,'' he said.

Onukaogu said the workshop was aimed at sensitising civil society organisations, community-based organisations and people with disability on their obligations during the elections.

He said the commission would manage the electoral processes, particularly in the Nov. 16 Anambra governorship election by carrying the message to the grassroots.

The commissioner said the commission in the state was open for verification while positive criticisms were welcome to move it to the next level of excellence.

Miss Hope Ngwube, one of the participants, commended the commission, adding that the workshop would assist in improving the electoral process in the state.

Mr Chris Azor, the Coordinator of the International Peace and Civic Responsibility, said the workshop was timely and worthwhile since an election was close by.

“This is the first time such workshop is being organised in the state before election. It will definitely achieve the objective,'' he said.

Mr Lawrence Nwanolue, the Chairman of persons with disability in the state, also commended INEC for giving them a sense of belonging.

He said the benefits would be transferred to other members.

Mr Seray Jah, IFES Senior Electorate Operations Manager, urged the participants to put to use the knowledge in the forthcoming election and subsequent ones.

Other participants were drawn from the 21 local government areas in the state.