By Anthony Ojo.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti state, Dr. Adeniran Tella has called on stakeholders, politicians and individuals to support the commission in sensitizing residents of the state on the need to be more active in electoral processes.
Dr. Tella made the call in Ado-Ekiti at a stakeholders meeting ahead of the commencement of the physical capturing of those who have registered online.
He said enlightenment and sensitization of the citizens should not be left for INEC alone as the stakeholders have vital roles to play.
The Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner who said the meeting was part of ways of ensuring transparency in electoral processes noted that only those who have completed their online registration should show up for the physical capturing.
While speaking, the INEC Head of Operations, Mr. Alani Oduntan explained that eighteen centres have been designated for the exercise which include two at the Commission’s office and one at each of the sixteen local government areas of the state.
Mr. Oduntan hinted that security agents would be on ground in order to forestall breakdown of law at the centres while urging those who would take part in the exercise to be civil and shun any act that could disrupt the registration.
In their remarks, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, represented by Chief Sola Olanrewaju and the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju who spoke through Chief Sunday Agbaje called for the creation of more polling units in their towns in view of the increasing number of inhabitants.
The Chairman, Inter-party Advisory Council, IPAC in Ekiti state, Mr. Ifedayo Iyaniwura observed that the number of those taking part in elections in the state were not encouraging and advocated a new approach to sensitization of citizens.
Others who spoke including the Director of the National Orientation Agency, NOA in Ekiti state, Mrs. Olawumi Famuyiwa and representatives of market women commended INEC for engaging the stakeholders, with a promise to join hands with the commission to achieve success.
Present at the INEC stakeholders meeting include Heads of media stations in Ekiti state, including the General Manager of Progress FM, Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Dokun Ladele.
