A nongovernmental organization; Alliance for Africa which promotes transparency and accountability in governance, has through one of their Projects; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and with support from MacArthur Foundation, organized a one-day round table discussion for security operatives in Imo State, towards the forth coming Governorship election in the State.
The session which took place on Friday at Rockview Hotel, opposite Government House, Owerri the state capital, which had Police Officers, Civil Defence men, Civil Society Organizations, among others, present to participate in the discussion, was geared towards ensuring that everyone, especially the vulnerable ones; the Persons Living with Disabilities, women and youths in the state freely and safely cast their votes.
Speaking to newsmen, the official in charge of Communications, Policy, and Advocacy for the organization, Rejoice Wobilor-Agua, and her colleague, Adaeze Ekpunobi, stated that the objective of the meeting is - "To promote a safe environment that will support the active participation of vulnerable groups in the November 2023 gubernatorial electoral process in Imo State.
"To improve the management and coordinate the design of a comprehensive election security managenment system, and to generate actionable outcomes that addresses security concerns and promotes a fair and transparent electoral process, in line with the Citizens Charter of Demand."
They continued, "Alliance for Africa advocates for good governance, transperancy, accountability, and social inclusion, which one of the ways of achieving it, is starting from getting it right during the electioneering process; ensuring that everyone, especially the vulnerable ones; the Person's Living with Disabilities, (PWDs), youths, women, among others are not disenfranchised, or made to face any form of harm in the process.
"So we have brought the security operatives under what we call - ICCES; Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, to rob minds, form synergy and agree on actionable steps towards the success and progress of the forth coming election.
"Our concern is to ensure that the election is all inclusive; that no one is deprived of the right to exercise his or her francishe, and we've been engaging in this type of programme for 3 years now.
"To show that we are serious with what we are doing, after the elections, we will still call back the security agencies to get feedback on how the election was.
"We will also visit the different Governorship candidate of each party that will be participating in the election to send our advocacy brief to all of them, which was created from the demands of the people; what the people requires from them.
"This was ascertained from the survey we carried out on what the citizens want which is called the Citizen Charter of Demand. The advocacy brief is to make them understand that they should build there manifesto based on what the people want, and not what they feel like doing, 'organizers stated'.
The security agencies were taken through some topics: "Understanding the Security Landscape in Imo State", and "Strengthening Election Security Management".
They also came up with actionable steps on some of the things they will synergize to do in ensuring the aim of the meeting is achieved, which is - To effectively deploy security men to every Polling unit, among others.
The security operatives also requested for the INEC officials to come to the Polling units on time with their materials, saying that there coming late is one of the things that disrupts an election from being hitch-free.
They also pointed out some areas where they are handicapped during elections, saying that the electoral act does not permit them to arrest anybody during elections except when the Presiding Officer reports such person or persons to be constituting nusiance.
This they said the masses are not aware of, which according to him, is why they, the people end up blaming them unnecessarily, when they do not know that their powers are limited in some activities.
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