Elections: Be Conscious of Your Conscience, Don’t Be Influenced by Money, CCN Urge Observers

www.odogwublog.com reports that as the 2015 elections draws closer, the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Anambra state chapter has charged over 40 people drawn

from 21 local government areas of the state it trained as election observers to discharge their duties creditably and shun any iota of influence by money.

The state coordinator CCN election observer, Rev. Richard Ibeto stated this during a one-day training Workshop organized by the group in collaboration with RecliamNaija themed: Step-Down Training for 2015 General Election Observers; yesterday.

He advised the trainees to be conscious of their conscience and avoid any bias reportage.

His words: “Observe the elections as Christ like. We Christians are there for the truth and nothing else but the truth” he noted.

The participants were trained to observe and provide the council with on-the-spot reports from their polling units, whether good or bad. He revealed that the council has already trained more than 400 church leaders; women and youth leaders across the country.

 “The Council hopes to mobilize and deploy over 2,000 people to observe and report on the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria. “Our grassroots members has been trained to observe and report timely on any malpractices or otherwise in their polling units.

“The Christian Council of Nigeria strongly encourages involvement and participation of citizens in the communities. “This act, we believe is much needed for transformation of the Nigerian society. We sincerely operate with people from the grassroots to ensure a transformed society free from social vices hence we promote transparency and accountability by inculcating good moral standards in our members,”

He further urged the trainees to help and inform the people of their communities the need to be accredited before the election, even as he warned that anybody who failed to be accredited will be denied the right to vote “accreditation starts by 8a.m and ends by 1p.m. The destiny of our great nation is in our hands. Let us make hay while the sun shines. We have a collective responsibility and right to be part of the processes because Nigeria belongs to all of us.

 “Support politics without violence; do not be used as political thugs. Your vote is your power, it is your right, exercise it. “Your vote must counts, shun tribal, religious and ethnic sentiments. It’s one person one vote.”

Distribution of a Code of conduct for election observers book, Observation tool kits, among others formed the high points the event.