Okitipupa (Ondo), Sept. 26, 2012 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday called for full participation of the citizens in Ondo State to make their votes count in the Oct. 20 governorship election.
Mr Joseph Dahunsi, INEC’s Electoral Officer for Okitipupa Local Government Area, made the appeal at the Voters’ Education Forum in Okitipupa.
Dahunsi urged the people to come out en masse and make a difference in the results of the election.
“At the recently concluded Edo governorship election, the voters were not so many. So we don't want such a situation in the? forthcoming election in Ondo State.
“Hence, the programme is to sensitise the people on the need for registered voters to come out and vote like true Nigerian citizens.
“This election will be different. All our equipment, staff and security operatives are already available. There will be no rigging, so let us vote free and fair,” the electoral officer said.
According to the INEC official, Okitipupa has 136 voting points, while a voting centre has 350 voters.
“Whenever the voters are more than 350, another voting centre will be created to quicken the rate of voting,” Dahunsi said.
He said that final year students of federal institutions of higher learning would be co-opted as ad hoc staff, if the members of the National Youth Service were not enough.
“INEC has also noticed that some of its members of staff get to their units late.
“To prevent this, INEC has directed its members of staff and the security officials, taking part in the election, to sleep at the Collation Centres,” Dahunsi said.
Omoniyi Olowomuke, the Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the local government, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the INEC’s programme was commendable.
“We have been able to get an insight into the programme prepared by INEC for the election, and it is acceptable to our party.
“And we also hope that the electoral body will adhere strictly to it. If it is so, there won't be any crisis,’’ Olowomuke said.
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