The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos on Thursday pledged to deepen its engagement with stakeholders, for credible elections in 2019.
Mr Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos gave the assurance at a one-day workshop on ‘Experience Sharing on the 2015 General Election’, held at the INEC office in Lagos.
The News men report that the commission’s Lagos office organised the workshop for its management staff and stakeholders across the state.
It was aimed at engaging the workforce in the analysis of its strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, as a guide to shaping its electoral activities in the 2019 elections.
Olumekun said: “It is said that experience is the best teacher, and so it behooves us to learn from our past mistakes and successes, so as to attain a more beautiful future.
“It is important for us to take stock, in an open and honest manner, of the activities of the past.
“It is, therefore, important for us to interrogate the past, see where we missed it, where we didn’t do well and derive policies that will help us move ahead.
“We must deepen our engagement with critical stakeholders to ensure successful 2019 general elections
“I charge you to strengthen and deepen engagement with stakeholders and not wait till the last day,” he said.
Olumekun said the commission must take the lead in demonstrating the integrity of the electoral process to the stakeholders.
On the challenges facing the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the INEC REC urged the staff to rise to the occasion and improve the management of the exercise.
In his remark, the immediate past REC in the state, Mr Akin Orebiyii, said the state was lucky to have Olumekun as his successor, describing him as a thorough and proactive professional.
Orebiyii reiterated the need for robust engagement with stakeholders to ensure successful elections.
“INEC doesn’t conduct its elections alone. INEC works with stakeholders such as security agencies, National Orientation Agency, Political Parties and Community Development Association (CDAs).
“Others include the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the media, election observers, market women, the youth, transport unions, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
“If you have them (stakeholders), more than 50 per cent of the challenges would have been taken care of. There is need for confidence building between INEC and its stakeholders.
“We need to be open to them and ensure education and training for political parties and their agents,” the immediate past REC in Lagos said.
He urged INEC staff members to respect and build a robust, cordial relationship with all stakeholders for success in 2019.
Orebiyii highlighted some challenges faced in the 2015election to include mix up in voter registration and various allegations of hoarding PVCs, protests, among others.
He urged the staff not to sweep any issue under the carpet, but to be familiar with their wards and peculiarities.
Orebiyii said the 2019 elections would be a different ball game because so many things had changed, but urged the commission to deploy wisdom and experience to surmount emerging challenges.
The former INEC boss urged the commission to always have backups for every critical material — human and non-human.
He advised the commission to disseminate information through community leaders, traditional rulers and religious rulers, who must be carried along.
Some of the officers, who shared their experiences highlighted card reader failure, mix up in voter’s registers, PVCs, negligence of ad hoc staff and poor statistical skills of some collation officers, among others, as part of challenges they faced in the 2015 elections.
Mr Joshua Adelusithe, the Electoral Officer in Lagos Island, told NAN that the training was apt and would prepare the staff well to tackle whatever challenges that might arise in the 2019 elections.
NAN
