The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Wednesday in Abuja, called for collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to educate voters on the electoral process ahead of the 2019 General Elections.
Mr David Dogo, Director, NOA, in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) in Abuja, stressed the need for that early preparation of voters toward 2019 polls to ensure hitch-free election among other advantages.
Dogo commended INEC for fixing the dates for the 2019 elections and described the step as a right decision in the right direction, adding that the timing of the election would allow for an all round and early preparations.
“It is good for us to have a definite election date just like in America, so it can be stamped that elections will hold in March of every election year.
“For instance, every American and those in the western world know that November in every election year is for voting,
‘’so every voter knows when election will hold and prepare toward it.It is not a bad idea to have such in Nigeria too.
‘’It will help for planning because we know that election dates have been fixed and we have two years to plan, I think we don’t have excuse to fail.
“All areas of short falls we had in the past we will have the opportunity to make amendments and correct them with the ample time we have on our hands.
‘’So NOA will work with INEC on voter’s education,’’ he said.
Dogo said that the complaints with the previous elections had always been that time was too short for people to understand what they were required to do during elections.
He expressed optimism that with the new development elections, irregularities in elections would be curbed and electoral malpractices averted.
He said that voter’s education would prepare the minds of voters on the dos and don’ts of the electoral process and would also go a long way to boost Nigeria’s political system, build trust in the people, and enhance democracy and governance.
Dogo urged Nigerians to see elections as their civil responsibility to the nation and the privilege to vote and be voted for.
He called on voters to come out and collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVCs) as they prepared ahead of the elections.
Also in an interview with NAN, Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu, the Administrative Secretary, INEC in the FCT described NOA’s offer to assist in voter’s education as a welcome development.
Adamu said that as soon as the modalities for the election were worked out, the process of educating voters would commence.
He also commended the NOA director for the initiative, adding that “we look forward to partnering with NOA for a credible election.’’ (NAN)
ATAB/KOLE/DUA