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From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
A Non Governmental Organization, NGO, Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative, (CHLEI) has lauded efforts of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the participation of Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs) in the 2023 electoral process.
Executive Director CLHEI, Dr. Helen Teghtegh, gave the commendation in Makurdi, the Benue State capital while addressing journalists in the aftermath of the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly.
Teghtegh said CLHEI has been working with IDPs on the programme, “Get-Out-the-Vote” using the theatre-for-development strategy noted that the commission showed proactiveness in prioritising IDP votes.
She stated that INEC did not only ensure that IDPs voted in the last elections but that they recruited two IDPs as ad-hoc staff for the 2023 general elections.
She explained that 59 voting centers were created for the IDPs; 56 in host communities and four in IDPs camps across six Local Government Areas of Benue State.
“For this, we commend the proactiveness of Benue INEC in prioritizing the participation of IDPs not only in voting in the elections but also in the electoral processes in Benue State; where 2 IDPs were recruited as INEC Adhoc Staff for the 2023 general elections,” Dr. Helen noted.
According to Teghtegh, “the political voice of IDPs; women, youth and the younger voters who have reached the voting age, is needed for dialogue and to make the government accountable and meeting the needs of vulnerable persons.”
She explained that in spite the observable lapses such as misconception about Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, (BVAS) and late arrival of material, “CLHEI was impressed by the enthusiasm and resilience of IDPs to come out in large numbers to vote, demonstrating confidence in the BVAS machine as a credible medium to ensure their votes count.”
CLHEI called INEC to consider setting up more IDPs camps to host voting centres for IDPs, and
substantively test operational issues connected with its election technology and transmission of results, conduct sufficient refresher training of ad-hoc staff and technical personnel on the setup and use of the BVAS machine, collaborate with Civil Society Organizations, (CSOs), the media and influencers to educate the masses regarding the functioning of the BVAS machine, and other election materials before the next elevation
