Imported User:
The Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Enugu State, Mr Augustine Okolie, has urged INEC to stop the use of adhoc staff in future elections.
Okolie made the call in Enugu on Friday when he paid a courtesy visit to the state Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Mr Lawrence Azubuike.
According to him, the use of adhoc contributes to massive rigging and electoral malpractices.
He said that most of them were not committed and dedicated compared to the permanent staff of the electoral body.
The director called on INEC to employ more staff and train them to prevent electoral malpractices in the country.
Okolie said the agency would partner with INEC in voter education and sensitisation with a view to changing the attitude of the electorate toward elections.
Responding, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Azubuike emphasised the need for intensive voter education of the electorate ahead of 2015 general elections.
Azubuike noted that one of the major challenges hindering free and fair election in the country was the poor attitude of the electorate due to lack of education.
According to him, an enlightened electorate is far better than uneducated one.
He commended NOA for its voter education, especially during the last general and the local government elections in Enugu State.
The commissioner expressed the determination of INEC ``to right the wrongs’’ of the past elections in Nigeria.
He said toward this end, the commission had made significant progress toward achieving the goal of free, fair and credible election in the country.
Azubuike said that INEC would partner with the agency, the media and security agencies in ensuring free, fair and credible elections in 2015 and beyond.
