Voter Registration: INEC, NIM Organize Sensitization Workshop For Political Stakeholders In Anambra

Raymond Ozoji, Awka

In continuation of the ongoing voters registration exercise across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in conjunction with Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), has organized a one-day sensitization workshop for Persons with Disability (PWD), staff of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), women leaders and state chairmen of all the political parties in Anambra.

The workshop is first in the series of activities the Commission drew up to enhance capacities within the political parties and other relevant stakeholders towards the 2019 general elections in the state.

The workshop which aimed at educating the electorate between the ages of 18 and above and the political leaders on the continuous voters registration exercise was expected to improve their internal organizational processes and understanding.

Delivering the opening remarks  at opening of the workshop and inauguration of NIM Officials in Awka on Friday, the Anambra State Capital, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra, Dr. Orji Nkwachukwu, represented by the Director of Information and Voter Education in the State, Mr. Leo Nkedife, described the sensitization workshop as indicative of the Commission’s readiness towards effective and constructive engagement with political party executives, civil society organizations, market men and women towards building the institutional capacities of all political parties ahead of 2019 election.

“This sensitization is therefore an opportunity for political party executives to exchange ideas and learn international best practices in political party governance and operations,” the REC said.

Dr. Nkwachukwu urged the political parties to contribute to the strengthening of democracy in the State by implementing lessons learnt at the sensitization workshop as organized by the duo, INEC and NIM.

While outlining the objectives of the workshop, the NIM State coordinator, Prince Chris Azo, said the workshop was designed to educate the voters and enhance the administrative and organizational processes of the political parties as well as to enhance their capacities to take interest in the marginalized groups such as women, people living with disabilities, and to promote transparency in the management of the affairs of the political parties.

Another objective for the sensitization, he continued, was to enhance the capacities of the political parties to address their internal grievances and resolve these grievances without necessarily resorting to the formal court processes and to enhance the capacities of the political parties to comply with the broad electoral legal framework.

In his remarks, the Chairman Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr. Bath. Igwedibia,  represented by the state chairman of Hope Democratic Party, Engr. Sam Oregbunam, commended INEC for efforts at enlightening the general public on the importance of voter cards and the contribution towards building the capacities of the political parties to address their various challenges.

The IPAC Chairman further expressed optimism that the workshop would assist in strengthening the political parties in the areas of party administration, management and maintenance of party activities.