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NGO Applauds INEC for IDPs’ Participation in 2023 Polls
The Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative (CHLEI), a non-governmental organization (NGO), has commended the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for including internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the electoral process for the 2023 polls.
Dr. Helen Teghtegh, the executive director of CHLEI, gave the commendation in Makurdi, Benue State while speaking with journalists after the recent presidential and national assembly elections, on February 25.
She explained that CHLEI had worked with IDPs on a program called “Get-Out-the-Vote,” using a theatre-for-development strategy.
Teghtegh appreciated INEC for ensuring that IDPs were allowed to vote in the February 25 elections and for recruiting two IDPs as ad-hoc staff for the 2023 general elections.
She also noted that 59 voting centers were created for the IDPs across six local government areas of Benue State.
Teghtegh emphasized that the political voice of IDPs was crucial for accountability and to ensure governments meet the needs of vulnerable persons.
Despite challenges such as misconceptions about the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and late arrival of materials, she stated that CLHEI was impressed with the enthusiasm shown by IDPs to vote and their confidence in the BVAS machine to ensure their votes counted.
Credit: https://sunnewsonline.com/clhei-commends-inec-for-idps-participation-in-2023-polls/
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