2019: NOA Educates Osun Electorate On Proper Voting
To avoid record of invalid votes and ensure that votes count during the forthcoming general elections in Osun State, the state chapter of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) yesterday organized a sensitization programme for electorate in the state.
Participants were drawn from all segments of the society for adequate enlightenment on how to vote properly without recording too many void votes during the exercise.
Speaking at the sensitisation programme held in Osogbo, the state Director of NOA, Mrs Yomi Olasinde said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had nullified many votes in previous election as a result of wrong voting.
She noted that millions of votes are wasted due to incorrect voting in elections adding that the scenario has become a matter of great concern to NOA and every well-meaning Nigerian.
Her words: “Subsequently elections, including the last Osun state gubernatorial election which indicated that Nigerians were or are still ignorant of how to vote properly.
“This situation is further compounded by the number of political parties in Nigeria now, which is 91. Thus, we need to be very cautious with this high number of parties on the ballot paper.”
She said that voting error is mostly caused by negligence and lack of concentration among the electorate.
Olasinde however urged electorate to shun apathy , saying they should come out in large number on election date and cast their votes for the candidate of their choice.
The NOA state Director enjoined residents to shun violence and political thuggery before, during and after elections.
Speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje expressed INEC readiness to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
Represented by Mr Adeyemo Badebo, Agbaje urged all political parties to cooperate with the INEC by sensitising their supporters on the need to comport themselves in a lawful manners.
He said voters should eschew any activities capable of causing violence before, during and after coming general elections.
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