EU, INEC PARTNER FOR CREDIBLE ELECTION IN EKITI
The Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] has reassured Nigerians that there shall be no room for malpractice, individual or group to truncate the upcoming election poll on July 14 in Ekiti, in spite of the disquiet among the ranks of politicians in the State.
The body said it was partnering with European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) for the training of staff that would be used for the election to get acquainted with modern and digitalized electoral process using the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) implementers’ workshop.
The electoral commission also disclosed that it was compulsory for the members of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Ekiti to serve as electoral officers in the election, describing the poll as a critical national assignment that was a statutory obligation of any corps member.
Speaking at the Ekiti State EMSC Workshop organized for INEC staff in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the National Commissioner in charge of Ekiti, Oyo and Osun States, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, commended ECES for taking
interest in those things that would boost the integrity of Nigeria’s elections.
“The EMSC is a programme specially conceived to give skills to staff of this commission. We have passed through many trainings but this is very special and important, so we appreciate the European Union for
this help”.
Soyebi said those accused of illegally purchasing Permanent Voter Cards(PVCs) from owners were wasting their time and resources, saying, “no one can vote for anybody by proxy, because we will test the
fingerprints”.
The INEC chief added that a more voter-friendly enhanced Smart Card Readers will be deployed for the conduct of Ekiti election.
The Director of ECES, Mr David Le Notre, praised the INEC for taking a giant step to rebrand the country’s electoral system.
Notre said the body would continue to lend support to Nigeria to overcome challenges impeding the conduct of credible poll that meets international standard, for Nigeria to join the league of nations with credible electoral system.
SOURCE – THISDAY NEWS
