The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Tuesday urged the people of Ebonyi to eschew violence before, during and after the general elections.
The agency also urged the electorate to see their participation as not just a civil obligation, but an opportunity to elect credible candidates of their choice that would determine the future of the state and Nigeria at large.
Mr Chima Titus, Agency’s Director in the state, told NTV Africa in Abakaliki, that NOA was prepared to work with other key stakeholders to ensure credible and peaceful polls.
Titus said that the agency had designed series of sensitisation programmes to educate the populace across the hinterland of Ebonyi.
“All these steps taken by the agency are geared towards ensuring active participation of citizens in the polls.
“This is the time to make bold decision on who become our leaders on Saturday and on March 11, by going out to vote for the rightful candidates.
“Our personnel have equally carried out sensitisation in the three senatorial zones of the state ahead of the elections in the 13 Local Government Areas.
“We have been meeting with key players in the forthcoming elections, including INEC and security agencies to ascertain their level of preparation to ensure a peaceful outing.
“There is need to stop using abusive words for campaigning. Politicians should focus campaigns on issue based subjects rather than things that can cause violence,” Titus said.
On the use of BVAS, the director called on voters to cast their votes and immediately return to their homes.
“BVAS has enough inbuilt to protect the vote cast,” he added.