NAN-H-34
Stakeholders
Calabar, Nov. 6, 2017 (NAN) Dr Frankland Briyai, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Cross River, has urged election stakeholders to ensure that only credible leaders are elected in 2019.
According to him, free and fair election can be achieved in 2019 when the voters are fully sensitised to know their rights and responsibilities before and during the polls.
Briyai gave this charge on Monday at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the old boys of the Mary Knoll College Okuku Ogoja, (Class 80) in Calabar.
The REC stressed the need for voters to report cases of electoral malpractice to the appropriate authorities while shunning violence and intimidation during the electoral process.
Briyai, who was delivering a paper entitled: “The role of eligible citizens in electoral process’’, said to achieve free and fair elections, eligible voters must be aware of his or her rights and duties before and during elections.
“Voters must shun all forms of violence and intimidation in the electoral process; they are expected to comply with all the laid down rules and regulations as prescribed by the Electoral Act and the nation’s constitution.
“It is also the responsibility of the voters to report cases of electoral malpractice to the appropriate authorities for prompt intervention,” he said.
Briyai advised the old boys of the college to ensure that the right persons are elected into political offices in future elections, saying that ‘democracy is all about rights and responsibilities’.
In his remarks, Prof. Joseph Asor, the Chairman of the Class 80, lauded the REC for sensitising the citizens on the electoral process ahead of the 2019 general elections.
He said that INEC under Dr Frankland Briyai in the state had done a lot in the area of voter education and in creating awareness on the need for free, fair and credible elections in future elections.
“We have observed your activities since you assumed office in July, especially in holding meetings and soliciting the support of groups, organisations, traditional institutions and security agencies for free, fair and credible elections.
“You have also used such forum to educate the citizens on the electoral process as well as advised eligible voters to ensure that they obtain the voter cards: we commend you and encourage you to do more.
“On our part, we will support every effort by INEC to ensure a peaceful and credible election in Cross River in 2019 and beyond,” he said. (NAN)
BEN/OSA/YEMI
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Yemi Idris-Aduloju