By: Oginyi Nkechinyere/Ebonyi
A Nono-Governmental Organization (NGO) ‘Development and Integrity Intervention Goal Foundation’ (DIG) in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with support from Nigeria CSOs situation room DFID fund has organized a stakeholders meeting to brain storm on how to achieve tension free election in Ebonyi state come February 16th and March 2nd 2019 election.
The meeting held on Saturday targeted marginalized groups in the society, youths and women from Ebonyi North senatorial zone of the State as well as media practitioners in the state.
Our Correspondent reports that the meeting gave opportunity for people living with disabilities, youths and women to air their views on what is expected from the INEC to reduce tension in the forthcoming election especially in security.
Addressing the forum, the Residents Electoral Commissioner in the State, Professor Godswill Obioma commended the Foundation for partnering with the electoral umpire, pointing that to attain tension-free election requires collaboration of major stakeholders and CSOs.
Represented y a Legal officer in the Commission Barrister Ibrahim Obiahu, Profession Obioma therefore urged participants to take the message to the grass root were they were drafted from.
He said prior to the forthcoming 2019 general election in the state, INEC as a matter of policy has been in partnership with DIG as a stakeholder to sensitize electorate on issue that would be determined to the smooth conduct of the pool and warned politicians against making inflammatory statement during campaign to avoid political tension.
In a remark, DIG State Co-ordinator, Mr. Ajah Chima Oliver and a senior program officer with the Foundation, Mr. Anele Okoro noted that inability of prospective voters to collect their PVC contribute to election tension.
The team however appealed to the stakeholders to sensitize women and people living with disabilities to shun voter apathy and come out on the Election Day, exercise their franchise and be wise not to sell their vote.
