INEC calls on physically challenged to vote

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the eligible physically challenged and youth groups in Anambra to effectively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the state.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Nkachukwu Orji, made the call during the Sensitization and Mobilization Forum for the Physically Challenged Persons and youth groups on Friday in Awka.

Represented by the INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Leo Nkedife, Orji said the commission was determined to carry everybody along to ensure the record success in its operation.

Orji told the group that there was ability in disability, noting that the commission had made special provision for registration of physically challenged in the continuous voter’s registration and throughout the electoral process.

He assuring the people of the preparedness of INEC to conduct free, fair, and credible election come Nov.18 governorship election, adding that data capturing machines were in good shape and ready for redeployment.

The INEC Deputy Director, Civil Society Organisations, Mrs Dorothy Bello, who also spoke said there was an urgent need for people to change the narratives that youths were only used for violence during the elections in the country.

Mr Sunday Nwigboke, the INEC Head of Legal Department enumerated some of the electoral offences to include, selling and buying of voter’s cards and disclosure of false information.

Nwigboke appealed to youths to avoid being used to cause trouble during election, stressing that preventing eligible voter from registering, possession of dangerous weapons among others were serious offences.

In a contribution, the Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Anambra, Mr Lawrence Nwanolue, thanked the commission for the recognition accorded the body.

He urged INEC to assist the group in financing, sensitising and mobilising of its members for effective participation in the continuous voter registration in the state.

The Chairman of the Civil Society Network in the state, Mr Chris Azor, assured INEC that CSOs in the area were ready to assist INEC in ensuring the success of the Nov.18 governorship election.

More than 400 physically challenged persons, youths, and members of civil society organisations, from the 21 local government areas of the state attended the event.