Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
Ahead of the April, 17th, 2021 Local Government Election in the State the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC has agreed to partner with the National Orientation Agency NOA and the need to mobilize the electorate to participate polls the polls.
The Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Justice George Omeriji (rtd) stated this when officials of National Orientation Agency NOA led by its State Director Barrister Young Ayo-Tamuno paid the Commission a courtesy visit.
The RSIEC boss assured NOA of the readiness of the Commission to work with them in mobilizing and educating the people on the forthcoming LGA elections, adding that the visit will help sensitize the people, most especially those in the rural areas to come out and vote any candidates of their choice.
He assured the Agency of the commitment of RSIEC, in conducting a free, fair, and credible election, stating that the April 17th, 2021 LGA elections will surely stand the test of time.
Earlier in his address, the State Director of National Orientation Agency NOA, Barr. Young Ayo-Tamuno stated that the major aim of the visit is to work out specific areas of collaboration.
Young Ayo-Tamuno highlighted three key areas of collaboration which include, effective voter education and sensitization, mobilizing citizens for effective participation in the election.
He also added that the Agency will play the roles of monitoring of the electioneering processes and providing actionable intelligence to the Commission, through their feedback mechanism.
He informed the Commission that the Agency has staff and office in the 23 LGA’s of the State and commended the Commission for the warm reception accorded to them.
RSIEC Assures People Living with Disability of Adequate Participation
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC has promised to embrace People Living with Disability in the forthcoming Local Government Council Election in the State.
Addressing the Joint Association of People Living with Disability, PLWD Rivers State Chapter, the Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Justice George Omeriji (rtd) assured the members that Rivers will carry them along in the scheme of things.
He said the Commission will not discriminate and will ensure total participation in the forthcoming LGA elections.
Reacting to a question, the Chairman said that the polling units and boots will be arranged in such a way that the PLWD will find them easy to access.
The RSIEC boss urged them not to see themselves as People Living with Disability, but as people who have all it takes to make it in life.
He added that the visit has afforded RSIEC another opportunity to learn more about their plight and promised to carry them along in the forthcoming LGA polls.
In his address, the Chairman, of PLWD, Kie Obomanu stated that the organization has about 18,000 members across the State and pleaded with the Commission to carry out an enlightenment campaign for the PLWD.
Obomanu said that RSIEC showed prevail on its staff on the day of the election to give PLWD preferential treatment so as to give them a sense of belonging.
The PLWD which includes Albinos, Deaf and dumb, physically challenged, etc pleaded with the Commission to engage them as Adhoc staff during the election.
They commended the Commission for giving them the opportunity to interact with them and assured the Commission of the full support, given the opportunity to serve.
