INEC expecting 50 per cent voter turnout

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it is targeting at least 50 per cent voter turnout in the general election.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Joseph Chukwu, said this at a stakeholder meeting on strengthening the capacity of citizens in the voting process in the Southeast.

It was organised by Community and Youth Development Initiatives (CYDI).

According to Chukwu, who was represented by the head of the department, voter education and publicity, Achumie Chuka, boosting citizens’ confidence in the process would also increase their participation in the process.

The commission, he said, had intensified the training of ad-hoc staff to enable the effective handling of technological devices.

This, Chukwu added, would avert situations where wrong forms and, in some cases, unstamped forms were uploaded during the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.

He however stated that despite the successes recorded so far by the commission, there was a need for the stakeholders not to rest on their oars as some politicians were still bent on discrediting the process.

The REC said: “However, it’s not yet time for complacency as the 2023 elections, considered one of the biggest elections in the continent, is upon us.

“The challenges ahead cannot be underestimated to avoid any window that could be harnessed by politicians to discredit the process…

“With barely 65 days to the very important general elections, there is no doubt that some elements are not relenting in developing their stratagem to circumvent and manipulate the process, as the recent electoral experience shows that the commission seems to be one step ahead for the very first time.

“Other election stakeholders, especially the Nigerian security agencies and civil society organisations have important roles to play in protecting the sanctity of the electoral process before, during and after the elections.

“This will not just boost citizens’ confidence in the process but will also increase citizens participation in the process to hit at least a 50 per cent voter turnout mark.”

Executive Director of the CYDI, Mr. Felxfame Enisire, said the group’s project – Supporting Electoral Accountability and Transparency in Southeast, which is funded by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), was aimed at improving citizens’ participation in the electoral process in the region.

(Nation)