Advocacy Visit to INEC Commissioner, Imo State

AfA visited the Imo state Independent National Electoral Commission on 23^rd July, 2021, on a scheduled advocacy meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ezeonu and staff of the commission.

The essence of the advocacy visits in partnership with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center and funded by MacArthur Foundation was to discuss ways AfA can partner to strengthen support for anti-corruption and ensure a socially inclusive election through the implementation of policies and programs in the forthcoming election 2023 elections.

Prof Francis Ezeonu expressed delight at the visit noting that civil society organizations (CSOs) and the media have been their greatest strength through which they gather feedback.

More importantly, he disclosed that INEC is about to commence a new strategic plan.

According to him, INEC has an all-inclusive and gender friendly policy. In the state, two departments out of seven are headed by women, while 45 percent of their area electoral officers (AEOs) are women.

He disclosed that the draft Electoral bill addressed most of AfA’s queries but regretted that the lawmakers at the National Assembly altered them to favour their parties like high cost of nomination forms, lamenting that despite their efforts to ensure credible elections, political parties and the judiciary mess up their efforts.

Prof. Ezeonu called for an end to judicial litigation in electoral contests to allow INEC field the right candidates as against what obtained in Okigwe senatorial election where the commission pronounced a party winner without a clear-cut candidate as winner.

Prof Ezeonu restated their commitment to emerge the best election management body (EMB) in Africa and the world.

He however disclosed that the commission advocated that, women and PLWDs be given waiver to procure expression of interest forms/nomination form to enhance inclusion.

The REC declared readiness to partner organizations and government to commence sensitization of voters to register early, especially during the forthcoming August women meeting.

One of the outcomes of the CISLAC funded meeting, was an established partnership between AfA and the commission, as the REC called on all CSOs to mobilize women to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise, to get their PVCs.