A coalition of women organisations under the auspices of STAGE for Women Development has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Anambra State of delay in rolling out machinery and programmes to ensure the credibility of the Nov. 6 governorship election.
he group, which protested at the office of the electoral umpire, displayed placards with inscriptions such as: ‘INEC, why the delay in voter registration?’; ‘Early planning ensures free and fair election’; ‘INEC get started with voter Registration now’ and ’75 per cent of women did not vote in 2017, Not Again!’ among others.
Its spokesperson, Mrs. Oge Ekweozor, told reporters INEC’s delay could negate the ploy for a free and fair gubernatorial election in the state.
She said: “Based on past experiences, it is unbelievable that INEC has not started the registration of voters and the sensitisation of the citizens on their rights and responsibility through voter education.
“We do not want a repeat of what happened in the 2017 guber election where a lot of challenges contributed to the disenfranchisement of a large number of women and youths.
“To put things right, Anambra women implore INEC to set up and start rolling out the machinery for a credible election, come Nov 6.”
Head of Electoral Operations INEC, Innocent Ekulo, who spoke on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commission, thanked the protesting women for being civil.
He assured their concerns would be transmitted to the commission’s management while advising them to mobilise and galvanise women in the state to be involved in the electoral process.
Credit: The Nation