Okorocha makes case for early election timetable

Not comfortable with the present electoral system, Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to produce an election time -table four years before the general elections, stressing that this would guarantee a sound system that would ensure good governance.

Okorocha made this plea yesterday when he received at the Government House, Owerri, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Francis Chukwuemeka Ezeonu, and some officials of the commission in the state.

Okorocha, doubling as the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, maintained that the commission had done well, which required commendation.

Commenting on the recently announced timetable, he said it would assist stakeholders plan ahead of the 2019 polls.

“Having announced the time-table now, I’m sure posters, fliers and political quarrels will start springing from everywhere. So I’d suggest that you announce it four years earlier and remind people not to talk about it until the appropriate time so that the air of election doesn’t carry people away because right now, all meetings now would be election, no longer governance. This is the problem we have. We’re taking over democracy from America without a sense of direction.’’
The governor said in as much as the electoral agency was poised to carry out its duties, the state government would not renege in assisting it execute its functions.