UNDP tasks INEC on Ekiti, Osun polls By Yaqoub Popoola / Ado-Ekiti The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make adequate and necessary preparations towards the conduct of the two governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. Stakeholders at a one-day training programme for observers in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise in Ekiti State have asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states are free and fair to re-kindle people’s confidence in the electoral process. The UNDP representative, Mr. Zikrullah Ibrahim, who is also the trainer, explained that the UNDP attached much importance to the continuous registration exercise. The training was organised by the United Nations Development Programme Democratic Governance for Development Project (UNDP/DGP ll) in collaboration with Political Parties/CSO Forum. Ibrahim said: “Ekiti election should be given important attention needed; we want to add value and credibility to what is happening in Ekiti. “We believe before we go to the field, it is necessary for the observers to know what to do on the field.” Expressing their minds on the coming Ekiti and Osun elections slated for June and August respectively, the National Chairman of Progressive People Alliance (PPA), Mr. Peter Ameh; Director General Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar and Coordinator of the training programme and Director General, Transition Moniyoting Group (TMG), Mr. Chibuike Mgbeahruike, said INEC must do everything possible to get it right and avoid every loopholes that may likely truncate credible elections in the two states. According to them, the success of the 2015 general election would to a large extent depend on how the electoral body handles Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. Ameh however lauded UNDP for its laudable programmes ained at strengthening democracy in the country. He lamented that democracy is yet to thrive in the country “because our people are voiceless.” He described continuous voter registration as an important ingredient for successful election. Ameh on his part commended the INEC for introducing permanent voter card, adding that with the card “we now have a voter card that we can trust. “INEC should make up and do the right thing in Ekiti and Osun to ensure that people have confidence in the electoral process and avoid all loopholes.”
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 04:59:06 +0000
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