HarryPass Polytechnic Students Visit INEC Benue for Educational Excursion

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Students of Public Administration from HarryPass Polytechnic, Mkar-Gboko, has paid an educational visit to the Benue State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of efforts to broaden their understanding of the workings of government institutions and Nigeria’s electoral system.

The students were received by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) alongside members of the Commission’s management team, who welcomed them and provided an overview of INEC’s mandate, organizational structure, and responsibilities in the conduct of elections across the country.

During the visit, officials from various departments of the Commission delivered presentations highlighting their respective functions.

The Electoral Party Monitoring Department explained its role in overseeing political party activities and ensuring adherence to electoral guidelines while The Electoral Operations Department provided insights into election planning and polling procedures, while the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department showcased the application of technology in voter registration, election administration, and data management.

The Voter Education and Publicity Department also engaged the students on the importance of civic participation, urging those who had attained voting age to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) through the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

To further enhance their learning experience, the Public Affairs Officer INEC Benue State, Mrs Peace Ogoyi, said the students were taken on a guided tour of the State Office, where they interacted with staff and gained firsthand knowledge of the Commission’s day-to-day operations.

She disclosed that the excursion ended at the voter registration centre within the office premises, where the students observed the registration process in action.

She said some of the eligible students seized the opportunity to register as voters during the visit.

The students expressed happiness saying the excursion and educational tour offered them valuable exposure to Nigeria’s electoral process and deepened their appreciation of INEC’s role in promoting democratic governance and credible elections.