INEC restates commitment on IDP voting

THE Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday re-assured Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that they would exercise their civic rights in the upcoming general election.

Retired Col. Mohammed Hamanga, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states, stated this shortly after a tour of IDP camps in Maiduguri.

He said that INEC was initially worried about the possibilities disenfranchising thousands of the IDPs who had been forced out of their homes by the prevailing insurgency.

Hamanga said, however, that with the successes recorded at the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to the displaced persons, it was obvious that no one would be left out.

He said that his visit was aimed at assessing INEC preparations for the smooth conduct of the polls, especially among the IDPs.

Hamanga lauded the large turnout of registered voters at the PVC collection centres in the IDP camps.

He said that the impressive turnout was an indication that the displaced persons were already prepared for the general election.

Hamanga also commended INEC ad hoc staff at the centres for their hard work and dedication to duty.

Besides, he hailed the Borno INEC office on the preparations for the polls, saying that the office had prepared ground for the successful conduct of the polls.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hamanga visited several IDP camps during his tour.

They included the NYSC Orientation Camp, the Teachers Village, the Bakasi Estate, the Women Teachers College and Government Arabic Teachers College, Maiduguri, among others. (NAN)