The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the electorate in Anambra to shun apathy and participate actively in the Nov. 16 Governorship Election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, made the appeal in Awka on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Onukaogu observed that people, especially the elite, were apathetic towards the election because of the perception that their votes would not be counted.
He stressed the need for all eligible voters to exercise their right by coming out to for credible people in order to sustain development in the state, assuring them that the election would be free and fair.
“I am assuring you that Saturday’s election will be the freest and fairest election in Nigeria. It is going to be a model for other elections in the country.’’
On preparations for the election, the REC said that the commission had created Registration Area Centres (RACs) to accommodate election officers in order to bring them closer to the people.
He said that the centres would be equipped with facilities including toilets, water and electricity, adding that the idea was to bring materials and officials closer to the people.
Onukogu said that both sensitive and non-sensitive materials had been moved to INEC offices in the 21 Local Government Areas in the state.
He further said that the commission would also use police helicopters to deliver materials to difficult terrains, to ensure early arrival of materials.
He advised politicians to play by the rule as the commission had provided a level playing ground for all parties in the election.
A total of 23 political parties are contesting for the governorship seat with APGA, PDP, APC, PPA and Labour Party as the major contenders.
Information tool kit made available to journalists by INEC shows that the state has been delineated into 326 wards with 4,608 polling units and 6,581 voting points while 1, 784,536 voters are expected to cast their ballots.
