INEC inaugurates committee on voter education

Attahiru Jega

INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega

Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

INEC Boss: Attahiru Jega
INEC Boss: Attahiru Jega

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ogun State has inaugurated an inter-agency advisory committee on voter education and publicity.

The committee was inaugurated by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sam Olumekun.

Olumekun explained that the committee was put in place to assist the commission promote voter education and sound democratic practices as enshrined in Sections 2 and 153 of the Electoral Act (as amended), among others.

The Ogun INEC boss disclosed that the alarming level of apathy and the number of rejected votes in the past elections necessitated the development.

“In the past, elections in Nigeria have been characterised by voter apathy, inappropriate thumb-printing and other vices which had retarded the electoral process. These had been largely blamed on inadequate voter education and high level of illiteracy prevalent in the country.

“Although, INEC had always engaged in voter education, the post 2011 general elections review has shown that there is a dire need for a deliberate, conscious, planned and sustainable voter education and publicity programme.

INEC realises that there is a correlation between an enlightened, well informed electorate and the success of any election, hence its focus with renewed vigour on voter education,” he explained.

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The Committee’s terms of reference include a review of existing framework and also to advise INEC on areas of improvement.

He disclosed further that that the Committee would also proffer advise on effective strategies for voter education. ”

“The committee is also to monitor implementation of voter education strategies to ensure the realisation of set goals,” he added.

Speaking with journalists after the inauguration, a member of the committee, Pastor Olawale Jokotoye pledged that the committee would develop new ideas and evolve more responsive strategies on how voter education could be more effective in the state.

Jokotoye, who is the state correspondent of NAN, expressed optimism that the measure would considerably reduce voter apathy, if not totally eliminate it.

The Committee comprises members from eight agencies including INEC, NAN, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ogun State Ministry of Information and Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Other agencies are Ogun State Ministry of Education, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, OSBC and Ogun State Television, OGTV.

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