INEC Inaugurates Committee on Voter Education in Plateau

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, Politics Tuesday, June 24th, 2014

…Says Suspected Under-aged Would Not Be Issued The PVC

Agabus Pwanagba, Jos

As part of efforts to ensure credible elections are conducted in Plateau State in 2015, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set up a 23 man committee to assist the commission in voter education and publicity.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Hon. Habu Zarma said at the inauguration of the State Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity on Tuesday in Jos, that, “The purpose of the committee is to put in place modalities to educate the electorates and enlighten the citizens about specifics and mechanisms of the electoral process.

Hon Zarma also hinted that the committee will also inform the electorates of their rights and responsibilities.

“Unfortunately, there is still intolerably high percentage of voided votes traceable to limited knowledge and awareness, too few females participating in elections as candidates and other disadvantage groups are still left out of the process.

The REC who was represented by the Administrative Secretary of the Commission, Usman Bukar, said, “It is also sad to note that too many vices inimical to the democratic process still exist, such as violence, intimidation, unauthorized use of force, multiple registration, vote buying, snatching of electoral materials, to name just a few.

“It is also worthy of note that the strategies to curb these excesses have not been too successful due to the fact that previous efforts have always been reactive rather than being proactive. Hence the need to identify and close the gaps in the overall voter education programme has become imperative. He said.

He added that, the commission will commence issuance of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in the State from 22nd to 24th August, 2014.

Zarma warned that, suspected under-aged persons would not be issued the Permanent Voters Card.

Membership of the committee is drawn from INEC, NOA, NUJ, Women groups, CAN, JNI, among others.

The terms of reference include, review the existing framework and advice the Commission on areas of improvement, proffer advice on effective strategies for public enlightenment and voter education, among others.