2019: INEC Targets 2m Registered Voters In Ebonyi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it is targeting to register at least two million voters in Ebonyi for the 2019 general elections.
The Ebonyi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Godswill Obioma, disclosed this at a media lunch in Abakaliki.
Obioma explained that the voting strength of the state in the 2015 general election stood at 1,074,273, adding that the commission had strategized to beef up the voting population. According to him, the commission has registered no fewer than 132,170 voters in 2017 and in the first quarter of 2018.
He stressed that the INEC had a task to achieve the two million target. “Our overall target in Ebonyi is to have at least two million registered voters for the 2019 general elections.
“We will do this simply by adding up to the 2015 registered population. We have so far registered 132,170 voters in 2017 and in the first quarter of 2018.
“And what this translates to is that we have a deficit of 793,557 voters to register to achieve our two million target.
“What is needed is for all hands to be on the deck as we intensify our efforts to mobilise eligible voters not yet registered to go out and register.
“There is zero tolerance to double and underage registration, and registration can only take place in designated registration centres by INEC officials,” Obioma said.
The REC said that he had enjoyed the support of media practitioners since he assumed office nine months ago, and called for its sustenance.
He noted that the media have a critical role to play in enhancing the electoral process and in ensuring credible, free and fair elections through objective reportage.
“The role of the media in enhancing the electoral system and processes cannot be overemphasized, hence your collaboration and cooperation are very germane in our drive to conduct free, credible elections in Ebonyi in 2019.”
Obioma said that in order to mobilise more participation and ginger greater voter education awareness, especially for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the commission initiated community-based town hall meetings. He said that voter education before his assumption of duty in Ebonyi was driven mainly by radio jingles and little attempts were made to carry the message to the doorsteps of the target audience.
He added that participants to the town hall meetings were drawn from various electoral stakeholders, including politicians, rural men and women, youths, students, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, physically challenged, among others.
