NOA Identifies Challenges Of Credible Elections

The National Orientation
Agency (NOA) has identified illiteracy and ignorance as the major factors militating against free and fair elections in the country.
The Rivers State Director of the Agency, Mr. Oliver Wolugbom stated this in a chat with The Tide, in Port Harcourt.
The NOA boss noted that if there was adequate and proper orientation of the electorate, particularly in the rural areas, the issue of electoral malpractices, violence and voting for wrong candidates would reduce.
He called on community heads and stakeholders to support government in sensitizing rural dwellers on the importance of free and fair election.
Mr. Wolugbom who predicted violence-free election in Rivers State, said the opinion polls conducted by the agency revealed that the people of the state preferred free, fair and violence free elections.
“For me, I for see no violence come 2015 elections, despite the rumours going round, that elections would be violent.
“When 2015 comes, you will be surprised that those who hope on using thugs and other means to rig elections will be disappointed, and everybody’s mind will come down just like it happened after Nigeria and Iran ended their match with 0-0″, he said.
Mr. Wolughom said the Agency would soon embark on aggressive door-to-door electoral orientation and awareness Campaign to ensure free and fair elections in the state in 2015.
The awareness, according to him, would focus on the Permanent Voters Card registration process, voting pattern, effects of rigging elections and the right of electorate in democratic system, among others.
According to him, the orientation campaign would commence between July and August, 2014, when the directive would be officially given by the national office of the Agency.

Enoch Epelle