BENIN CITY – The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday in Benin flagged off it campaign against voided votes in South South zone, with a call on political parties to educate their supporters on how to cast their votes.
The campaign christened, “CURBING INVALID VOTES” is expected to take place across the Six Geo-political zones, States and local government areas in the country.
NOA Director General, Dr Abari Garba expressed concern over the high number of invalid votes recorded in previous elections.
The NOA DG who was represented by Dr David Aminu called on stakeholders to take the campaigns to the grassroots to enlighten them to follow instructions on the ballot papers before thumb printing to cast their votes.
On her part, the Acting Director of NOA in Edo state, Mrs Grace Eseka said the agency will continue to educate the electorates on the various symbols of the 91 registered political parties.
Mrs Eseka urged the political parties to take the anti void votes sensitization campaign serious as the general elections is around the corner.
Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki while flagging off the campaign explained that the campaign is to ensure every votes count in the forthcoming elections.
Governor Obaseki, represented by the Commissioner for communication and orientation, Paul Ohonbamu noted, it is the right of citizens to determine who governs them through their votes, hence “it would be wrong for such votes to be voided.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Alex Hart attributed voided votes to poor voters education and low level of literacy on the part of some .
The Edo REC, represented by the Head of voters education and Publicity, Mr Wilfred Ifogha called on the electorates to avoid mistakes which can be nibbed at the bud before the polls as well as “double their effort” to ensure a conclusive general elections.
Present at the programme were religious leaders, Youth groups, civil society, the police, traditional rulers, representatives of political parties, EFCC and others.
