Speaking on a local radio phone-in program Thursday in Ganta, the citizens said the 2017 elections are “very crucial” as the country will be observing a smooth political transition for the first time in decades, noting that there was serious need for more education on the electoral process.

They attributed the low turnout of voters experienced in other places to the lack of sufficient education on the processes and procedures leading to elections.

According to them, NEC cannot meet its target of 2.5 million registered voters without more education to electorates across the country.

The citizens also want the National Elections Commission to put in place measures that will prevent electoral violence during and after the elections.

They recommended massive awareness of voters in local English and dialects with the assistance of community radios, brochures, flyers, stickers and drama, as well as door-to-door civic education by trained election workers and early distribution of election materials.

They also want the commission to thoroughly screen would be election staff before recruitment to avoid conflict of interest.