Electoral violence no reason for voter apathy – INEC

Barely three weeks to the general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra has called for active participation among women in the electoral process towards a successful poll.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji made the call at the weekend, in Awka during a one day seminar themed, “mitigating violence against women in electoral process”.

He said no form of electoral violence was enough to deter women from exercising their franchise before and during the elections.

Describing women as critical stakeholders in the conduct of credible poll, the INEC boss noted that the commission placed high premuim on them, assuring them of level playing ground.

According to Orji, out of the 84 million registered voters across the country, over 47.1million were women, saying it would be counterproductive if they stayed away on the election day.

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He further urged them to disabuse their minds over the erroneous impression that election was all about war.

He said, “There is always the tendency to see election as a time of war which is purely meant for only the men.

“People keep remembering the dark old days without looking at the brigther future.

“There is no doubt that violence is one major element that scare women away from exercising their franchise. It is time we disabuse such mentality.”