Distribution of Voters’ Card: INEC canvasses support of community leaders

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has appealed to community leaders in Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State to assist the commission in the forthcoming distribution of permanent voters’ card to people of the area.

The position of the commission was disclosed by the Electoral Officer, E.O in-charge of Bomadi local government area, Mrs. Rita Osemeke at a meeting with all 12 community chairmen in the local government area at the commission’s office in Bomadi.

She told the community leaders that the commission will on 15^th to 17^th August, 2014 begin the distribution of permanent voters’ card, while a fresh voter registration will commence from 20^th to 25^th August.

Addressing the community chairmen, Mrs. Osemeke noted that “for INEC to come up with a process acceptable by the citizenry, every stakeholder must be involved and participate fully to enable the commission conduct credible elections”. She added that community leaders should mobilize grassroots participation to ensure success of the exercise as well as build the confidence of the people in the electoral process.

According to the INEC E.O in Bomadi, the meeting was convened at the instance of the commission to enable community stakeholders meet with the Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity set up by the commission to educate, enlighten and sensitize the public on the forthcoming exercise.

While appealing to the leaders to use their closeness with the people at the community level to educate the electorate, the INEC boss revealed that plans are being finalized by the commission to mount aggressive campaign in order to sensitize and educate the people towards the twin exercise.

Also speaking, the Assistant Electoral Officer, Administration, Mr. Warebo Odudu informed the community chairmen that permanent voters’ card is ready for distribution to those with the temporary voters’ card, adding that “the commission will retrieve the temporary voters card after issuing the permanent voters’ card”. He maintained that those who have lost their temporary voters’ cards would be required by the commission to fill-in a form with a passport photograph to enable it process a new voters’ card.

The 12 community chairmen in their separate responses promised INEC that they will assist in propagating the message in their communities, promising that they will support the commission in its bid to hold a hitch free exercise.

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