By Chidi Nkwopara, OWERRI.

The Justice, Development and Peace Commission, JDPC, of the Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Owerri, has ahead of the 2019 general elections, rolled out a programme aimed ensuring good governance and deepening democracy in it’s area of jurisdiction.

The Owerri Provincial JDPC Director, Rev. Fr. Anthony Jiwuba, who disclosed this during a seminar on democracy and good governance, held at St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish, Okigwe, also explained that the programme was in continuation of the current voter enlightenment exercise in Okigwe Catholic Diocese.

“The main goal of JDPC is to properly educate the people on the real meaning and performance of democracy and good governance, so that the electorate will be capable of accessing their elected representatives at all levels”, Fr. Jiwuba said.

He further opined that a well educated electorate will not only be in a position to clearly and promptly monitor the performance and flaws of their elected representatives, but will also be in a position to call them to order when they falter.

“The JDPC is completely non-partisan. We strive to push to the grassroot, the social teachings of the church. I urge the electorate to brace up to all the political challenges in their environment and get things right”, Jiwuba said.

He advised all eligible voters to register and acquire their permanent voters card, to ensure effective participation in elections, even as he blamed people’s suffering on “ignorance of their rights”.

“The Commission will soon kick-start the training and re-training programme for election observers, for the forthcoming general elections, in partnership with relevant stakeholders”, Fr. Jiwuba said.

Vanguard recalls that the JDPC’s three-pronged action plan are the pre-election programme, the election proper and the post-election programme.