Pan-African Women Projects, a foreign election observer team from South Africa on Monday said the postponement of presidential and National Assembly elections by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may cause voter apathy in the February 23 rescheduled polls.
The group said the postponement has affected the cost implication of all parties involved in the elections and called on INEC to rise to their responsibility by ensuring that all hitches were put out of place to ensure a smooth and credible election on 23rd February.
Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital, the leader of the group, Mrs. Lebogang Ugorji appealed to electorate to remain peaceful, steadfast and respond to their civic responsibility by participating fully in the general elections.
She said: “Having being on field to ascertain the level of general preparedness for the election, it becomes disappointing for INEC to have postponed the election barely five hours to the commencement time.
“It is our belief that this action taken by INEC will tell negatively on the election as some people who had traveled earlier for that purpose may not be able to spend a period of one week in their respective villages, considering the fact that they have to report for their job and businesses. Hence some people will be disenfranchised.
“Again, there may be the case of voters’ apathy and poor turnout arising from this action.”
