Ahead of the off-season November 11 Governorship election in Imo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has solicited the support of traditional leaders and faith-based groups toward the conduct of a violence-free and credible electoral process in the State.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Sylvia Agu, who made the plea at an interactive meeting with religious leaders in Owerri, said the meeting became imperative in view of their roles in guiding their faithful to enthrone good governance.
She urged the attendees to help ensure that the election is conducted in a fair and impartial manner, free from violence or other disruptions.
“Help us to revive the hopes of the people, mobilise your members against voter apathy, and tell them what we are doing to get the process back.
“You have the capacity to engage them and turn them into patriotic citizens.
“We request that you partner with INEC in sensitising and encouraging your members to actively participate in the election process, from PVC collection to voting on election day and protecting their votes in line with electoral guidelines,” Agu said.
She stated that the final day for collection of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) is October 9, and urged those who have not collected theirs to visit their local government offices to do so.
However, residents of Orsu council area should visit the INEC office in Owerri due to security concerns in the area.
According to her, the commission has taken inventory of all non-sensitive materials and sorted them by registration area.
She further noted that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines have arrived in the state and are being prepared for the election.
She added, “To ensure early arrival of election material to the polling units, the commission has insisted that Registration Area Camps (RACs) must be activated so as to reduce the travel time of election staff and materials on election day and ensure early commencement of voting.”
Agu further assured the people that the sabotage witnessed during the general elections would not repeat itself, saying that adequate preparations had been made for the transportation of materials and training of ad hoc staff.
“INEC meant no harm. We did our best in the last elections, but we are still asking for your continued prayer for our country and with God on our side, we will succeed,” she said.
In response, the General Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria, Imo chapter, Mr Sunny Odoemene, urged INEC to ensure proper preparations to discourage voter apathy.
Odoemene also appealed to the commission to ensure that results were pasted at every polling unit by electoral officials before leaving, to check electoral malpractices.