Elections’ preparedness is integral to every electoral process. Community based organization (CBOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), associations and union leaders around the Eastern Region met in Kenema and highlighted several challenges and fears that need to be addressed for a smooth and peaceful electoral process.
Eastern Region CBO representative, Zainab Robin said proper and thorough voter education is needed. All stakeholders need to put hands on deck in ensuring that the electorates are well informed. Robin explained that elections are a process and every stage is vital. “Out of the 1,000 people I registered only 400 went to verify their data during the exhibition process.” She said most people in the rural areas especially now when that it is harvest season find it difficult to leave their farms to partake in the different stages of the process.
Some people are of the wrong opinion that their 2012 voters identification cards are still valid and might not want to go and collect the new ID come 25th November. “We need to use the media, especially the radio, to educate these people… because of its wide reach.” She stressed people in the rural areas, especially in remote regions, need to fully understand the process so as not to disenfranchise themselves unknowingly.
Representative of community service associations, Galiwa Abubakarr, was concerned about the spate of violence during the electoral process by youth. “I have witnessed violence firsthand during by-elections and the perpetrators are mostly young men who are intoxicated by drugs and alcohol. Youth often allow themselves to be used and misused by politicians… youth must refrain from violence and also must ensure that come Election Day they should vote and go home to avoid any form of argument or confrontation that might spark violence.”
Other issues highlighted were the neutrality of the police and the judiciary. Participants also appealed that NEC needs to extended of the exhibition process and to ensure that they have proper registration equipment.
Marie Lebbie, a representative of Women Association Development called on National Electoral Commission (NEC) to ensure that proper assistance is provided for senior citizens. “Old people with trembling hands might accidentally void the ballot. Provisions should be made to assist them so that we would have less void votes in the upcoming elections.”
Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) continues its civic education dialogue sessions with electorates.
OG/22/11/17
By Ophaniel Gooding
Thursday November 23, 2017.
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