New INEC boss vows to hold free, fair election Nov 18

The new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra state, Dr. Nwachukwu Orji, has said the election umpire has put in place all machinery in place to ensure the successful f conduct of the state governorship election on November 18, 2017.

Dr. Orji vowed that the commission was poised to conduct “transparent, free, fair and crucible election in the state,” while giving the assurance that INEC was committed to providing a level playing ground for all candidates and political parties participating in the governorship election.

Speaking during a stakeholders forum on ward level voters’ registration exercise in Awka on Tuesday, Dr. Orji said “I like to state with confidence that we are ready for the November 2017 Anambra State Governorship election.”

The REC said the total number of registered voters in the state now stands at 2,042,548, and stated that INEC had embarked on nationwide continuous voter registration exercise on 27th April 2017, the first phase was concluded on 21st July this year.

Orji also said that the commission had moved the voters registration exercise to the ward level to ensure that all eligible persons in the state are registered before the election stressing , “this is a unique exercise since the continuous voters registration exercise in other states took place at the local government level. From August 10 to 15 2017, INEC registration official would be at designated centres in all the 326 wards in the state to conduct the exercise.”

He warned that it was an offence to register more than once, i reminding all that the registration at ward levels was an opportunity for all those who have not registered before to get registered. “During this period, people can transfer their registration from their former place of registration to new one, those that have lost their permanent voters card(PVC) can come forward for issuance of replacement,…defaced PVC would be replaced”, Orji said assuring that all registered voters will have their PVCs ready before the election.

He said that INEC will also display the register of all registered voters in the state for Anambra citizens to cross check and make sure that their names are in the roll of voters.

Dr. Orji said he has charged all staff and management of INEC to rededicate themselves to the principles of integrity and professionalism, sayingb “I like to state with confidence that we are ready for November 2017 Anambra State Governorship election.

He said INEC has commenced training of registration officials at all the local government areas of the state as well as deployed all critical equipment and facilities required in the exercise, while adequate security arrangement have been made for a hitch free exercise.

He also assured of the commission’ s commitment to discharge its statutory responsibility of monitoring conduct of political party primaries which according to him would end by September2, 2017 and challengef all politicians to observe internal party democracy and abide by the rule of law in conducting party affairs.

In a remark, the Anambra state Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke hoped that INEC has updated their data capturing machines to capture and register voters’ finger prints, and to ensure that voting materials arrive polling booths early and newly registered voters cards released to owners on time among ither things.

Okrke also appealed to security agents to ensure orderliness during the election, insisting that state expect the election to be peaceful.

Alphonsus Nweze