2019 Ballot Papers Would Be Voter-Friendly – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised Nigerians that it will make the 2019 ballot papers voter friendly.

This, according to Mr. Festus Okoye, National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Anambra, Enugu and Benue states, is to ensure the commission delivers free, fair and credible election to Nigerians.

Naija News recalls Nigerians have started expressing concerns over how the large number of contestants and political parties for the 2019 general elections in the country would not affect the electorate particularly the illiterate ones.

Okoye also revealed that the commission would continue to give massive voter education to enlighten the electorate on how to vote their candidates in the 2019 polls.

The National Commissioner also urged all other stakeholders to get involved in voter education, stating that the task of educating the masses should not be left to the commission alone.

Okoye said that INEC was negotiating with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on the prosecution of electoral offenders.

“We lacked the capacity to prosecute those that are involved in multiple registrations, so we are discussing with the NBA for collaboration.”

Speaking on the electoral umpire’s stance on APC and the Zamfara elections, he disclosed the commission had not changed its position on the state, clarifying that only an order from a court of competent jurisdiction could change INEC’s stand on the state.

“For now there is no such order from any court.”

“Courts should be circumspect in granting orders and should grant orders that can be obeyed, ” he said.

Okoye said the commission would track all vehicles conveying sensitive materials in the forthcoming elections and plot e-collection of results.