How insecurity increases cost of conducting elections — INEC
The National Independent Electoral Commission has attributed the high cost of conducting elections to prevailing insecurity in most parts of the country and called for peaceful coexistence amongst Nigerians.
The INEC National Commissioner in charge of Benue, Enugu and Anambra States, Mr Festus Okoye, said this on Saturday in Makurdi during an interaction with leaders of political parties, civil society organisations and the media.
He acknowledged that though huge deployment of security personnel during elections helped in stabilising the electoral process, it was also capital intensive.
Okoye, a civil society activist, called on the stakeholders to mobilise the electorate against electoral violence and insecurity in the country.
He said the commission was working hard to ensure Internally Displaced Persons living in various camps are not disenfranchised.
“The conditions of the IDPs are horrible. No Nigerian deserves to live in a camp. I call on all including the media to mobilise the people against insurgency.
“No matter how bad their conditions are, we will make sure they vote during the elections.
“We are working with State Emergency Management Agencies to capture their details. All registered IDPs will vote,” he assured.
He said no Nigerian, who has attained voting age, who possessed a valid voter card would be denied the right to exercise their franchise.
(NAN)
