The Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak has assured the people of Itu/Ibiono federal constituency that 2023 elections would be different as the 2022 Electoral Act approved use of electronic devices by INEC.
Elder Ikoiwak this assertion when addressing political leaders, traditional rulers, traders, security agencies and Women/Youth group representatives at Itu local government council headquarters, Mbak Attai on Tuesday.
The INEC Boss who disclosed that the directive was to cover all the 10 Federal Constituencies, thank the Itu council Chairman for his regular support to the commission.
He enjoined traditional rulers to disseminate the contained in the directive to the people, adding that it’s by so doing that the message would reach every nooks and crannies of Itu and Ibiono Ibom local government areas.
The town hall meeting was part of ongoing interactive sensitization of Akwa Ibom people on the election processes from the collection of voter’s card, voting procedures and mode of results update transmissions from polling units to INEC servers.
The AKSIEC Boss also disclosed that the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel has mandated the electoral body to engage the people and spur interest and greater participations in the forthcoming elections to reflect the state population index and additional Wards creation.
“We are here on the mandate of His Excellency to deliver the message of voter’s card and 2023 elections. INEC added 4354 pooling units via voting points,” he said.
He listed the team’s task to include among others ensuring that all local government areas participate in the collection of voter’s card beginning from 12th December to 5th of Jan 2023.
Earlier, the council Chairman, Bar. Etetim Onuk who noted tremendous improvement in the conduct of the election, stated that “for the first time in Nigeria our votes will count.
Against this backdrop, he urged the participants to endeavour to make the democratic process by collecting their Personal Voter’s Card (PVC) for the election and personal identification purposes.
Also, the longest serving traditional ruler in Itu local government area, Eteidung David Akpan of Ikot Obong Erong requested to know if the federal government have budgeted any amount of money to carry out the special task. “Government have sent us to work, what are we going to use to achieve this?” The traditional ruler who has served for 31 years
Similarly, a market woman, Helen Edet from Obong Itam sought advice on what to do when politicians come with inducement, asking for women groups to submit PVC numbers and others.
Elder Ikoiwak said the INEC BIVAS, facial recognition and proxy policy on voter’s card would protect against such attempt of electoral malpractice. He also warned participating groups to desist from disclosure of PVC details.
