Abuja- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday affirmed its commitment to increase women’s participation in the nation’s electoral process by encouraging through sensitisation.
The commission stated this in its daily bulletin issued in Abuja.
According to the bulletin, INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, gave the assurance when a coalition of women under the umbrella of Women’s Platform for Peaceful Elections visited him in Abuja.
Jega, who was represented by a National Commissioner in the commission, Gladys Nwafor, said since its inception, the commission had been particularly concerned on the need to increase women participation in the electoral process.
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“We have been engaging religious leaders, traditional rulers and other relevant stakeholders through meetings and advocacy visits to encourage women to participate in the political process,” he said.
He disclosed that INEC had allocated resources to voter education with emphasis on increasing women participation in politics.
On electoral violence, Jega observed that since 2011, there had been a decline in the rate of electoral disturbances due to the commission’s collaborations with security agencies.
He also attributed the development to increase in awareness created by INEC and stakeholders in the electoral process.
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He pledged the commission’s partnership and support to activities of the organisation.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mrs Joy Onyesoh, explained that the organisation’s mandate was to “ensure full participation of women in the electoral process’’.
Onyesoh informed the commission of the group’s intention to mobilise women across the six geo-political zones and to particularly perform observer activities in nine and Abuja.
The states, according to her, are Imo, Kaduna, Anambra, Enugu, Gombe, Plateau, Rivers, Benue and Lagos. (NAN)
