2015: Agency sensitizes residents against violence during elections

Ahead of the forthcoming 2015 general elections, the Federal Capital Territory- National Orientation Agency (FCT-NOA) has commenced sensitization of residents of the Territory on their conducts during the exercise.

According to the organisers, the exercise, with the theme: “ The imperative of credible election in 2015,” aims at educating the people on their voting and civic responsibilities and security awareness for a smooth electoral process next year.

Peoples Daily reports that, the awareness programme, which kicked off last week, in Bwari area council last week, is expected to go round the six area councils of the FCT.

Speaking during the exercise, which had politicians, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations and security agents in attendance, the Director, FCT-NOA, Moses Aba, told the gathering that they sould only identify themselves with politicians, whose campaigns are issue-based; and work with security agencies and stay away from electoral malpractices.

The Director, who was represented by a Deputy Director in the agency, Mary Tanko, stressed the need for the FCT residents to say no to violence and ballot snatching.

Also, he urged youths against allowing themselves to be used for destruction during and after the elections.

Furthermore, he charged voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC), just as he called on them to ensure that the under-aged was not registered to vote.

On his part, the FCT Resident Election Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Godwin Kwanya, assured electorates that the agency had fashioned out a way to ensure that those transferred from where they registered would be able to vote in their new places of abode.

Represented by the Administrative Secretary, Alhaji Abdulraham Adamu, he advised those affected to visit the nearest INEC office to be guided on what to do, stressing that only those with permanent voter cards would be allowed to vote.