From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has commenced distribution of non-sensitive materials to the 18 local government areas of Edo State ahead of the election.
The Commission’s Assistant Director of Voters Education and Publicity, Sule Imoudu, said the distribution of non-materials and other protective items is to enable the various local government areas prepare well ahead of the polls.
She disclosed that as part of effort to continue voter education, three operational vehicles have been earmarked for the three senatorial zones of the state to intensify sensitization before the election.
According to Mrs Imoudu, the welfare and security of INEC staff was very paramount, hence adequate arrangements have been made particularly for those that will be sent to riverine areas.
she said some of the items were life jacket which, she explained the supervisory presiding officers and the security officers will put on during duty, adding that the commission has put everything in place, including voting points should there be need for it.
At the INEC office in Benin yesterday, staff of the commission were seen in numbers making necessary arrangement for the dispatch of the non- sensitive materials to their assigned destination.
…Charges youths on peace
From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Sam Olumekun, has charged the youth to spread the message of peace to the nooks and cranny of the state ahead of the forthcoming election.
He gave the charge at the INEC Edo State voter education sensitization forum for the youth, civil society organizations, people with disabilities and faith based organizations in Benin City.
The REC who was represented by Mr. Francis Ikpefua said for a peaceful election to be guaranteed in the state, youths have a greater role to play in dousing the level of tension in the state through spreading of messages of peace before, during and after the state’s election.
He explained that it is the reason youths cannot be ignored if the commission must achieve its set target of delivering a successful and conclusive election in the state.
Speaking on the “Role of Edo youth in ensuring a Violence-free election” on behalf of the INEC, the Deputy Director, Civil Societies Organizations, Mrs. Rose Orianran Anthony said the objective of the voter education sensitization forum was to encourage the youth to spread the message of peace before the election to ensure peace in the state.
She said as the election is fast approaching, there is also a corresponding palpable tension looming in the air suggesting violence in the state which should not have been.
Mrs Anthony stated that youths have the capacity to douse such tension in the state when the election is taken as family affairs.
She said the people have the right to elect those who should govern them, but that such right could be truncated when there is violence in the state before and during election.
She therefore called on the youth to shun all enticements that could lead to snatching of ballot boxes and other vices but to embrace peace.
In her speech, INEC Youth Ambassador, Mrs. Helen Paul who spoke on “Edo State, Our Youth, Our Future”, said the youth should not allow themselves to be used as the weapon of war in the hands of the politicians.
She urged them to realize that the politicians who are engaging them in carrying out violence during election, have their sons and daughters abroad.
The Youth Ambassador however urged them to do everything possible to make the election work in the state.
She also appealed to the politicians to create jobs for the unemployed youth to cut down the level of youth restiveness in the state.