INEC partners NOA, FRCN, others on voter education

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission says it is taking the issue of voter education and general information very seriously ahead of the 2015 general elections in the country.
To address this challenge, the commission said it had sought the partnership of National Orientation Agency, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the Ministry of Information among others to help in educating voters on their civic responsibilities.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, National Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, said this on Thursday in Calabar, Cross River State, at the ongoing stakeholders’ retreat.
He said, “The issue of information and voter education has been a big problem to us and the citizens of the country in general. During elections, a number of citizens do not even know how to thumbprint; a number of people are not sure of the election dates; a number of people are not sure of the processes.
“And so, part of the essence of this retreat is to ensure that we are guided by the terms of reference and to be able to reach out to the Nigerian electorate.”
Iyimoga said it was improper to conduct an election without adequate voter education where every eligible registered voter would be aware of his or rights as citizens.
“If you have an election and people do not turn out, then you are not doing a good election,” he said.
He said the issue of information and education was not the sole responsibility of INEC.
He stressed the need for all stakeholders to join hands with INEC in ensuring that the electorate were well informed before the 2015 elections and subsequent ones.
“You can do your best in terms of mobilisation but you have to understand that the responsibility of publicity cannot be on the INEC alone.
“And that is why we have involved sister agencies including the National Orientation Agency, Ministry of Information, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Ministry of Women Affairs and Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation,” he said.

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