By Okechukwu Okechukwu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Wednesday, said that arrangements had been concluded to ensure that every vote count on the 2023 general elections.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, who stated this during a stakeholders meeting organised by the commission to ensure smooth conduct of 2023 general elections, added that the umpire would leverage on the 2022 Electoral Act to conduct credible poll, as well as prosecute electoral offenders.
"We are committed to ensure that every vote count. Ours is that every vote must count. Go and vote for candidates of your choice. No miracle, wonder or magic will make your candidates win if you don't vote for them. It is only by voting. Nobody will come to harass or molest you. We are peace loving people.
"I was told that Anambra people are matured and will never engage in crisis during election. It gladdens my heart. I want you to educate your members and colleagues to maintain it. God will confirm your voices by your votes. The electoral Act 2022 also provides legal background for the election and technology to improve voters education.
"What INEC wants is free and fair election. Vote buying will not work. I am hundred per cent sure that vote buying will not work. But it is our duty to keep on telling people the effect on them in the next four years. All political parties and other stakeholders should join in sensitising the populace about elections and new electoral Act.
"I am not the REC that sits in office. I will come out and monitor election myself. God will help us to do that successfully. I have been a pastor for 22 years. I will use both physical and spiritual power to fight vote buying. I will ensure that anyone who commits electoral offences go in for the offences committed. There are penalty for all electoral offences in the new electoral Act. Anyone hoping to buy votes will fail.
"Most importantly, the Electoral Act 2022 provides legal frameworks for innovation and technological advancements in the electoral process. INEC has leveraged on the technology and information management to improve voter accreditation, electoral result management and the promotion of inclusivity for marginalised persons such as women, youth and persons with disabilities. Our staff are being selected in a cascade of training and restrained to meet with the expectations of the Nigerians," she stated.
On the just concluded display of voter register for claims and objections which was held between November 12 to 18 across the 326 Registration Areas, and in 21 Local Government Areas in Anambra State from November 19 to 25, the INEC REC assured people that the exercise was still on their website.
"Permanent Voters'Cards (PVC) are available at the designated stations for collection during and even after the exercise. PVCs registered between 2021 and February 2022 are printed for collection. Those registered between March and 30th June, 2022 will be ready for collection by end of November,2022. Also, PVC registered between July 1 and July 31st, 2022 will be ready for collection before the general elections.
" The PVC for those that applied for transfer, replacement and correction will also be ready for collection. The preparation and other activities of INEC are poised to deliver the general elections on the principles of democracy, equity and fairness. We appeal for your unwavering collaboration and partnership as critical stakeholders to ensure a seamless exercise in the conduct of 2023 general elections.
"On this note, we appeal for moral and logistics support of all the stakeholders. We call on the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and all the political parties to educate, organise abd train their agents and faithful for an Inter-Party democracy, while exhibiting good conduct for peaceful elections in Anambra State," he noted.
Also speaking, some stakeholders including Igwe Chukwuma Oji, the Traditional Ruler of Ezifinite, Aguata LGA; Anambra State Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Chief Uche Ugwuoji; the State Coordinator of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Barr. Charles Nwoji and the representative of civil society groups, Mrs Eucharia Anekwe, pledged to sustain sensitisation programmes towards raising the consciousness of people for a successful elections.