INEC commences distribution of materials, deployment of officials in Anambra
• Stakeholders assure safety of materials, successful elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State, yesterday, disclosed that it has commenced the distribution of election materials, as well as deployment of officials to councils in the state.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Queen Agwu, announced this during stakeholders meeting on the conduct of 2023 general elections, organised by INEC in Awka, yesterday, and attended by traditional rulers, community leaders, representatives of political parties, National Orientation Agency (NOA), youth organisations, among others.
She stated that the Commission has engaged the leaderships of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and National Association of Road Transport Owners in the state for discussions, as she expressed optimism that there will be no logistics challenges in the distribution of election materials and deployment of officials.
She urged the state Ministry of Transport to put in place measures to prosecute any driver, transport company or transport union that fails to deliver or attempts to frustrate movement of election officials and materials, including reverse logistics.
The REC called on community leaders and traditional institutions, including town union presidents general, to assist security agents in their areas to ensure protection of life and property.
Agwu insisted that their efforts would rekindle public confidence for voter turnout in the state.
She further announced the relocation of a number of collation centres and registration area centres for obvious reasons like insecurity, poor/dilapidated structures, bad terrain and unsafe areas for conduct of credible elections in Ihiala, Nnewi South, Onitsha North, Orumba North, Awka North and Awka South.
Stakeholders, in their contributions, expressed readiness to contribute in making the elections fair, free and successful during the meeting.
In his speech, Igwe Chidi Stephen, Obi of Uga, in Aguata Council, said members of his cabinet have been sensitising people of Uga Community to ensure they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them vote in the elections.
He pleaded that church and market leaders should help in sensitising people on collection of PVCs, just as he assured that adequate measures had been taken to safeguard election materials deployed in his community.
In his contribution, the National Vice President, Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Okechukwu Oforkansi, disclosed that members have been working tirelessly, and educating the electorate to ensure they collect their PVCs to vote during the elections.
