By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
Members of the Civil Society Organization and Media Policy Advocacy Network (CSOMPAN) have expressed concerns over the missing Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the November 6, 2021 governorship election in Anambra state.
Chairman of the group, Chief Obunikem Asuzu stated this during an advocacy visit of members of the Justice Development Office (JDPC) in conjunction with the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) held in Awka the Anambra state capital.
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the State two weeks ago said it withheld allowances of over 630 ad-hoc staff engaged in the guber poll over the missing electronic equipment
Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji said the decision followed the officers’ failure to return some of the devices and materials issued to them for the exercise.
The CSOMPAN boss, while describing the act as corrupt, wondered why persons entrusted with such sensitive materials would fail to retire same after delivery.
He advised the electoral umpire to devise means of plugging such loopholes in their subsequent recruitment exercises to forestall future recurrences.
He said, “The bane of our society is insincerity and corruption. We were thought in Scout that nothing given to you is actually yours until you’ve said thank you.
“These guys in question were recruited for an assignment. By right, they should come to those who engaged them to give a kind of retirement.
“If I were INEC, I’ll do a memo to them requesting they do the needful. If they fail, they can deploy other legal means.”
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The JDPC Manager, Alphonsus Nwoye said the visit was to collaborate with the group towards generating development issues to be used in engaging the incoming administration in the state.
He listed the targeted areas to include, Community Charter of Demand and Data Profile; Continuous Voter Education, Tax payment, proper waste management disposal, among others.
He appealed to the group to deploy its capacity and competence in reaching out to relevant state authorities and non-state actors in addressing the highlighted concerns to deepening good governance.
