In a bid to ensure that the forthcoming general elections hold without hitches, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to traditional rulers to support the commission.
Channels TV reports that the electoral body made the move during a sensitization visit to Nekede ancient kingdom in Owerri, Imo State.
It was reported that INEC officials led by the National Commissioner in charge of South East, Mrs Gladys Nwafor, and the Resident Commissioner in Imo State, Gabriel Ada, urged traditional rulers to use the opportunity of their closeness to the grassroots to assist the commission in conveying vital information on the need for rural dwellers to collect their permanent voter cards.
The report stated that the team also took time to address a cross section of women in the community and also sensitize them on how they should vote on the day of the elections.
Speaking at the occasion,the paramount traditional ruler in Nekede ancient community, Stephen Agunmanu, promised to support the commission in disseminating the necessary information to his people and ensure that elections in the area is violence free.
INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, on Thursday confirmed the preparedness of the electoral body to conduct the re-scheduled elections.
Professor Jega gave the assurance at a meeting with Civil Society Organisations in Abuja to assess INEC’s readiness for the elections, which is expected to begin on March 28.
Jega, however, expressed his concerns over the security of the personnel that will be deployed for the exercise, especially in the north east where troops are currently battling to flush out terrorist group, Boko Haram.
