The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has confirmed the receipt of non-sensitive electoral materials ahead of the October 5, 2024, local government elections....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
The Guardian gathered that some of the essential materials received include ballot boxes, indelible inks, manual papers for guidance, pens, etc.
It was also learned that RSIEC staff and some ad hoc staff have received part payment for preparations for the polls.
Checks by The Guardian at the RSIEC headquarters office along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday showed minimal activities. Documents were being moved from offices and arranged, while some party candidates were also sighted submitting documents to the commission.
Further findings show that the commission is not strictly following the election timetable. When inquired, a source in the public relations unit of the commission explained that it was due to the #EndBadGovernance protest held recently, which disrupted some of its schedules.
Further monitoring shows that the full list of party candidates, which ought to have been displayed by now, has yet to be posted.
A staff member at the Public Relations unit of the commission, who requested anonymity, explained that the delay in displaying the lists was to give more time to all political parties to complete their documentation and be on the same page with others.
He, however, stated that there is no going back on the October 5 date, assuring that RSIEC is set for the election, adding that it has attained 80 percent readiness.
“So far, we are good to go to the polls because we have attained over 80 percent of the preparations required for the election to hold. What remains now are the sensitive materials, which, as you know, do not just come like that. It is not something we can disclose the date and time it will arrive,” said an RSIEC PR unit staff member.
“Staff have received some stipends, part of the allowance for the election, a few days ago, so everybody is ready for the election.”
Against insinuations that the election may not hold, the source said, “The election will hold. Some parties delayed in filling in their documentation due to the #EndBadGovernance protest, so we are giving them the window to be screened, so that nobody will be left behind.”
He confirmed that the names of party candidates for the said election will soon be posted.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State local government elections are very significant following the unabated political crisis rocking the state.
Recall that all the 23 local government secretariats in the state have been under lock and key for over two months after the crisis involving the ex-local government chairmen elected during the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike and the Caretaker Committee Chairmen nominated by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Though some parties, like the All Progressives Congress (APC), have threatened to boycott the election, many political analysts reason that if the election holds peacefully, it may go a long way toward addressing the political battles in the state.
