INEC Moves Voter Education Campaign to Secondary Schools:
In preparation for the 2015 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission in Enugu State has moved its voter education campaign to secondary schools.
Addressing the students at a voter education quiz competition between secondary schools in the state on Wednesday, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Lawrence Azubike, said the move was to inculcate civic responsibilities in the young ones.
Azubike noted that the voter education was also to sensitise the youth on the functions of INEC with a view to changing their perceptions about election procedures.
He said, “The quiz is an aspect of our voter education programme. We decided to take the programme to secondary schools to catch them young. We want to inculcate civic responsibility and the notion of good citizenship in our young ones. We think that if they imbibe it even before attaining the voting age, things will move smoothly.
“The voter education will disabuse their minds about some misconceptions they have about procedures of election and what INEC does.
“It is a good way to propagate good culture in terms of democracy and good governance. If youths are properly sensitised on what is right and the link between elections and good governance, they will not be readily available to be used by unscrupulous politicians.”
On the commencement of the continuous voter registration in the state, Azubike said the commission had trained its staff who would be involved in the exercise.
According to him, the exercise will likely commence in the second quarter of the year.
“We are ready to commence the voter registration in Enugu State. We have put almost everything in place and we have done significant training for our staff in preparation for this exercise,’’ he said.
The REC, who said the commission was awaiting directives from the headquarters to commence the exercise, appealed to the citizens of the state to be patient as it would ensure the registration of all eligible voters.
Some participants at the quiz, who came from the National Grammar School, Nike and Model Secondary School, Nsukka said they were better enlightened on the activities of INEC. (NAN)