INEC moves to halt electoral violence against women

In an effort to minimize electoral violence against women, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday engaged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), in a one-day seminar. The seminar tagged “Mitigating Violence Against Women During the 2019 General Elections”, the electoral umpire seeks to understand specific forms and levels of electoral violence women face during the electoral process, either as candidates, supporters or voters. Speaking at the workshop, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Plateau state, Halilu Pai, said women are getting more involved in the country’s electoral process hence falling prey of victims of violence. Pai said violence does not necessarily involved getting physical but also intimidation which women face because they are mostly perceived as weaker beings. Represented by the Head of Legal Unit, Plateau state Independent Electoral Commission, Mrs Caroline Okpe, the INEC boss said the commission is working closely with security agencies to identify the perpetrators of violence on women aimed at strengthening female participation in the electoral process. Also at the forum, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Plateau state, said it is working in partnership with other agencies to sensitize and educate the electorates against void votes. The state Director of the agency represented by Mrs Rhoda Sadus, task SCOs to also join the campaign. The Department of State Security Service (DSS) official, Plateau state, who also participated at the event, warned electorates not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians who will want to induce them into selling their votes as anyone caught in the act will be dealt with. However the seminar also discussed the effectiveness of state and non-state institutional mechanism in providing redress for female victims of electoral violence. Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos