From ADAMU YAKASAI, Gusau
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
has advised those below 18 years not to present themselves for registration
as it will soon commence continuous registration exercise of voters
nationwide.
The chairman of the commission, Sir Abel
Guobadia gave the advice in Gusau at the opening of a one-day workshop for
all political stakeholders and INEC staff, Tuesday.
He similarly advised those who had registered
during last registration exercise to keep away to avoid multiple
registration.
Mr. Guobadia therefore appealed to state and
local governments, including political party leaders and royal fathers to
assist and support the commission in its public enlightenment campaign on
this task.
The chairman urged the political parties,
candidates and their respective supporters to appreciate the need for
peaceful polity, "thus, electioneering should not be regarded as a do-or-die
affair".
He recalled that the few cases of violence
experienced in some parts of the country during 2003 general elections
should not be allowed to return in future conduct of elections.
On the workshop, he said, it was organized to
promote understanding between INEC, political parties and other stakeholders
which would go a long way in developing sound security, peace and stability
in the country.
Mr. Guobadia also showered encomiums on
government and people of Zamfara state over the peaceful and conducive
atmosphere for the conduct of hitch-free elections in the political history
of Nigeria.
"INEC is appealing to the political party leaders in Zamfara
state to continue in the effort to organize supporters to conduct respective
political partisan affairs in a peaceful manner, as always been the case, so
that Zamfara state remains a model of political stability to be emulated by
others".