2019: INEC seeks NOA, NYSC’s support for credible election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has sought support of the National Orientation Agency & National Youth Service Corps to enhance the success of 2019 general elections.

The spokesman for the Commission, Mr. Femi Akinbiyi made this known in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to the statement, Mr. Sam Olumekun, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner visited both NOA & the NYSC orientation camp in the state on Wednesday to seek collaboration towards a successful conduct of elections.

“While I thank you for your response, support for the Commission in the time past, I want to ask you for more support in mobilising Lagos and to participate in the electoral processes ahead of 2019 polls.

“I want the NOA to especially join the Commission in mobilising eligible voters who have abandoned their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) to come and claim them.

“I acknowledge the strength of NOA and the fact that INEC cannot do it alone. Our people must participate in electoral process for democracy to thrive.

“The Commission is ready to partner with NOA and other stakeholders in our drive to deliver credible, transparent, free and fair elections in 2019.

“INEC has developed an election project plan and strategic plan of action and has itemised all we need to conduct a successful free and fair elections.

“If the last election was rated very high by both local and international observers, we are prepared to deliver a more credible one in 2019 to spas previous achievement.”

Mr. Olumekun urged NOA to sensitise people against violence during elections, saying electoral violence could prevent people from exercising their civic responsibility.

At the NYSC Orientation camp, the REC, Olumekun also commended the State’s coordinator of NYSC, Prince Mohammed Momoh and asked for the support of the organisation.

“We thank you for your usual support, the Commission will like to improve the MOU between us, please if there is an area we need to fine tune in the MOU let us know now so as to cement the synergy for it to work better in future.

“Because of the advancement in technology and other issues we must commence early training of Youth Corps members on the handling of the smart card readers ahead of the election.

“We have noticed that one of the reasons is the way these smart card readers are handled.

“This time around, we want to devote time to educate the Corps members during their Community Development (CD) activities at various local governments”

Mr. I shola Waheed, the State’s Director of NOA, in his response, promised to assist INEC to publicise it’s activities and mobilise people to participate in electoral process.

“We shall avail the Commission our officials across the Local government areas in Lagos State to pubilise your programmes. We have over 207 officials to assist INEC”

Prince Momoh also gave the commitment of NYSC to support INEC in order to deliver acceptable elections in the state.