By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published Notice of 2023 General Election in its headquarters in Enugu and other local area offices within Enugu State.

The publication is pasted in INEC Enugu State headquarters at number 5 Achi Street, Enugu and area offices in the state as well as all INEC state offices and headquarters in Abuja.

The publication of notice of election actually kick-starts the entire 2023 General Election process, while this is coming three days after President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the amended 2022 Electoral Act.

When contacted on the development on Tuesday, the state INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Emeka Ononamadu, said that the publication was a statutory responsibility of the commission to Nigerians and political parties to know the scheduled date for activities leading to 2023 General Election.

Ononamadu stressed the importance of such publication which included helping political parties and Nigerians not to be caught unawares, adding “The publication is saying, get ready, the process of 2023 General Election has been set in motion”.

“It is important to emphasise from day one, the need for visible enlightenment of citizens by political parties instead of leaving the bulk to INEC.

“The beginning of each electoral cycle is supposed to generate joy for citizens to elect their leaders, and not fear.

“I am using this opportunity to congratulate Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for making history in Nigeria, as the first INEC chairman that has published two general election timetables and having been also the first to be appointed for second term in office.

“I call on those that are eligible but have not registered to ensure that they register and get their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) before the window closes,” he said.

The REC noted that INEC had improved tremendously in all its operations but required citizens and other stakeholders to act within the law so that the commission would hit the 100 per cent mark.

He thanked the media for their unalloyed support to democracy and the commission, adding: “INEC has lived up to the proverbial saying that `a stitch in time, saves nine.”

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