From Uchenna Ezeadigwe,
Awka
A grassroots Pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization under the aegis of Imeobi Igbo Forum, has voiced their support for the introduction of Electronic Voting System (EVS) in Anambra 2021 gubernatorial election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The group equally tasked the commission to commence deployment of the machines and sensitization cum education of the people for its utilization and success.
The forum in a statement signed by its national chairman and secretary, Chief Michael Ikegulu and Barr. Chibuike Nwabueze respectively urged INEC to fulfill the pledge made by its national chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu during the budget defense at the House of Representatives Committee on electoral matters at Abuja on November 4, 2020 where he revealed plans to deploy balloting machines for possible electronic voting in the Anambra Governorship elections to serve as a test run for deployment at the national level.
The group however expressed worry that since the INEC boss made the statement, not much had been heard about the EVS machines and their possible deployment for the November 6, 2021 governorship election in Anambra. The statement read in parts.
“We are fully dedicated to stamping out manipulation of cast ballots and vote buying. The Forum urged INEC to expedite action in the introduction of this technology which ensures regularity and authenticity of cast ballots. This will save our people the unnecessary rancor and needless litigations that follow the process of voting in our polity”.
“We say no to vote buying. The Forum is interested in the emergence of the best aspirant who will serve Anambra State better, someone with entrepreneurial spirit and experience of creating wealth who is not imposed on the people”, the statement adds.
