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INEC to commence voter registration on August 19 in Anambra.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday asked the stakeholders in the electoral process as well as the governorship aspirants in Anambra State to adhere strictly to the electoral laws during the forthcoming governorship elections in the state.
The Commission also said it would conduct the voters’ registration in the state between August 19 and 25. The governorship election holds on November 16.
INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, said at a meeting in Abuja with leaders of political parties that campaigns and voting must be conducted decently and lawfully; adding that the Anambra election would provide the Commission the opportunity to test the revalidated code of conduct for the parties.
“A few days ago in Minna, virtually all the political parties revalidated the Code of Conduct for political parties. By so doing, they have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening democracy through a considerably reformed electoral process in our country,” he said.
“Hence, the Anambra governorship election would be the first test case of the practical affirmation of the Code of Conduct. All key aspects of the document must be demonstrably put into practice, respectable and responsible conduct by all parties, candidates and their supporters.”
Mr. Jega said the voters’ registration was being planned in deference to the electoral law, stressing that it would provide the opportunity for all those who had become 18 years and above since the last exercise to register.
He said, “Our preparations for the elections include doing the continuous voters’ registration from 19th to 25th of August 2013, in order to update the registers as required by law, before the elections. Doing this will give an opportunity for all those who have become 18 years and above since the last registration in 2011, to register.”
He said INEC has left no stone unturned to clean up and have a credible register for Anambra before the November 16 governorship election.
The chairman explained that the Commission had made a commitment to Nigerians to reform the electoral process with sustained improvement in the conduct of election, adding that it demonstrated this in all the governorship election held since 2011.
“Our key objective is to make the Anambra governorship elections the best so far. But, no matter how hard we try, we alone, in INEC cannot succeed without the cooperation and partnership of all stakeholders, especially political parties, their candidates and the people of Anambra State,” he added.
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