The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been urged to ensure that over one million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) exercise their voting rights in the forthcoming February 2015 general elections.
The National Coordinator I-Nigerian Initiative, Ada Stella Apiafi who made the remarks today in Abuja after inspections of some IDPs, reminded electoral body about the millions of internally displaced persons abounding in most parts of the country and the need to factor them into the general elections beginning from next week.
Available records at some of the camps located in Area one, Apo, Airport Road and along the Keffi-Nyanya Road show that there at least 10,000 displaced persons in the FCT and its environments alone from the north east where the boko haram insurgency is raging.
The I-Nigerian Coordinator who lamented the plight of the persons many of whose families are scattered in various countries and said urged government agencies to be alive to their responsibilities to the distressed persons.
According to some figures, not less than two million Nigerians are currently displaced and scattered in various states of the federation while others have fled to neighbouring countries.
The former Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) recalled that Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega had earlier promised to do everything possible including tinkering with the Electoral Act to ensure that the affected persons were not disenfranchised.
At a particular session, members of the National Assembly also promised to ensure that IDPs are accommodated in the election arrangements.
The I-Nigerian Coordinator said NEMA and INEC are in good position to work together and ensure that only registered IDPs with possession of permanent voter cards are allowed to vote especially since camps are well regulated and peaceful.
