INEC seeks support for Rivers bye-election on June 20

The Independent National Electoral Commission has urged political parties and other stakeholders to support efforts towards achieving a credible bye-election in Rivers South-East Senatorial District.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Johnson Alalibo, made the call on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Bori, Khana Local Government Area.

Alalibo said that the bye-election was scheduled to hold on June 20, in 88 electoral wards and 1,629 polling units in Andoni, Eleme, Gokana, Khana, Opobo/Nkoro, Oyigbo and Tai Local Government Areas.

According to him, a total of 858,573 registered voters were expected to participate in the election across the affected local government areas.

The REC urged electorate in the district to take the exercise seriously because the area had been without representation after the demise of the Sen Barinada Mpigi.

“This bye-election is an opportunity for the people to exercise their democratic rights, and renew their confidence in the electoral process.

“It is therefore the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that the process is credible and reflects the true will of the electorate,” he said.

The INEC official said that the commission had entered the final phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise in the state.

Alalibo urged stakeholders to mobilise eligible residents to register, transfer their voter records, correct personal details and replace lost or damaged voter cards.

He stated that the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to update participants on preparations for the bye-election and the ongoing voter registration exercise.

“Let me use the opportunity to reaffirm INEC’s commitment to conducting the poll in line with extant legal provisions and guidelines.

“We have commenced necessary logistical arrangements, we shall deploy 6,774 ad hoc personnel for the exercise.

“We shall collaborate with transport providers for the movement of election materials and officials,” he said.

He urged political parties and candidates to embrace issue-based campaigns, and refrain from actions capable of threatening peace in the district.

“Let us allow the election to remain a contest of ideas rather than violence and intimidation,” he said.

The REC called on security agencies to maintain professionalism and neutrality, noting that their support was critical to the safety of voters, election personnel and materials.

He also urged traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society groups and the media to intensify voter education and public enlightenment campaigns about the elections.

“This will help to counter misinformation, and encourage peaceful participation in the electoral process,” he said.

Also speaking, the District Electoral Officer, Mr Emmanuel Nwankwegu, said that the commission was ready to conduct a credible, transparent and inclusive election in the senatorial district.

Nwankwegu said that INEC had concluded arrangements for the deployment of sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the exercise.

He said that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System would be used during the exercise in order to safeguard the integrity of the process.

The INEC official described election as a collective responsibility, and urged political parties, candidates and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and orderly during the exercise.

He cautioned on violence, voter intimidation and other activities capable of undermining the credibility of the poll.

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, said that adequate security would be provided during the election.

Represented by CSP Kenneth Dimkpa, Adepoju said that the police would collaborate with other security agencies to promote law and order during the exercise.

“Our major duty during this election is to remain neutral and provide security throughout the process.

The Chairman, Khana Local Government Council, Dr Thomas Bariere, called for intensified voter education and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the election.

Bariere urged stakeholders to disseminate the information obtained from the meeting to residents in their communities, saying, “voter sensitisation is essential to the success of the bye-election.”

He expressed confidence that the poll would be peaceful following the level of preparation being made.