The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, expressed concern over low level of women participation in electoral process in the country.
INEC Residents Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu state, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, said this during a one-day meeting with Initiative for Gender and Social Development (IGSD) in Enugu State.
Ononamadu, represented by INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Mr Enyinnaya Onyekwere, urged women to come out massively to vote, adding that women’s participation in the electoral process would foster progress in the country.
He advised the participants to pay attention to the meeting and take it home to mobilise other women to use their weapon- Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to decide on February 16 and March 2.
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“INEC is passionate about fostering women’s participation and political visibility in Nigeria. We created gender desk office in INEC to accommodate everybody in election.
“We had meeting with the security agencies and they have guaranteed security of everybody.
“I urge you to go back to your various zones and communities and educate others, especially women to come out massively to vote for their choice of candidates,’’ he said.
INEC Gender Desk Officer in the state, Mrs Edna Nnolum, commended women for their participation during the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR), which yielded good result; and urged them to do same during the election.
Nnolum encouraged women to get their PVCs ready and also understand election day procedure as outlined by INEC to avoid voidable votes, vote selling and other electoral offence.
“As at today, the Presidential and National Assembly election is only nine days away, while the governorship and state assembly poll will take place two weeks afterwards,’’ she said.
The National President of IGSD, Mr Christian Mmadu, disclosed that the meeting was to sensitise women on the need to fully participate in the forthcoming election.
Mmadu said it was also meant to look at the preparedness of INEC to ensure free, fair and credible election.
He urged women groups and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), who participated in the meeting, to go back to the grassroots to sensitise others on the need to participate fully in electoral process.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Enugu state currently has 1.9 million registered voters, 4,146 voting locations; comprising 2,958 polling units and 1,188 voting points.(NAN)
