Ben Ezechime, Enugu
More than 120 election observers are currently undergoing training for Saturday’s September 21, Enugu State Local Government Elections holding in the 17 local government areas of the state
The two-day training is being sponsored by Actionaid but supported by South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO); Justice, Development, Peace and Caritas Commission (JDPC); Enugu and the Enugu State Government.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday in Enugu, the Head of Programmes, Actionaid Nigeria, Mr Celestine Odo, said that the local government election remained important as it provides opportunity for rural people to vote for their political leaders.
According to Odo, council election provides avenue for rural people to participate in government, make impact in the running of their development affairs and means of holding their elective political representatives accountable.
“The two-day training will make participants to better understand and appreciate how election is conducted; actors and stakeholders involved especially Local Government Election being organised in Enugu State.
“Two, you are also trained as observers; and what to look out for and collect data on during the field work on the D-day of the election.
“We also have to collect data on conduct and behavior of security, ad hoc staff, Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) as well as other actors and stakeholders.
“Thirdly, you will also do reporting – situational and aggregate reporting – during and after the election,” he said.
Odo urged the participants to pay attention during the training; write things down and get ready to work with an election reporting internet application, which would be downloaded in their individual phones.
Corroborating, Head of Programmes of SSDO, Mr Udochukwu Egwim, said that local government administration, which is headed by a chairman and councilors, is crucial to overall grassroots development.
Egwim noted that council administrations are responsible for basic services such as primary education, healthcare, and local infrastructure among others.
He noted that local government elections often receive less attention and experience lower voter turnout than gubernatorial or presidential elections due to lack of proper orientation and awareness of the rural people.
He said: “I encourage you to put seriousness to the training and ensuring that all learnt will be practiced during and after the council elections.
“All participants at this training and those that will go to the field on the Election Day must follow the guidelines and work with the internet Application to be downloaded in your mobile phones.”
It would be recalled that over two million voters would be eligible to vote in the 17 chairmanship and 260 political ward councillorship positions within the 17 council areas in Enugu State.
