The Independent National Electoral Commission has received and inspected sensitive materials for Saturday’s bye-elections in two constituencies in Rivers State.
The inspection was led by the INEC National Commissioner supervising the South-South states, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, alongside, the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Abayomi Salimi and an INEC National Commissioner from Abia State, Chukwuemeka Ibeziaku, at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Party agents also participated in the inspection of the sensitive materials.
Briefing journalists and party agents, the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, explained the importance of the exercise.
Yomere stated, “We are here to examine the sensitive materials that have arrived. The materials we are inspecting include the ballot papers, Form EC8A, Form EC8B, Form EC8C, and Form EC8E.
“It is required by law that party agents should be here to ensure that these materials are not tampered with before they are escorted by security agents to their respective locations.”
Speaking, the Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council and Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party in the state, Benjamin Ogbobula, expressed satisfaction with the inspection.
He, however, urged INEC to ensure that the will of the people is respected in Saturday’s bye-election.
“I’m very satisfied. The materials were opened, and you can see that they are signing them for transparency. I inspected the materials for all six wards of Ahoada East Constituency II and the eight wards of Khana.
“What we have seen here is correct. I don’t know what will happen later, but for now, what we are seeing is proper. They are taking them to the various areas,” he said.
The IPAC scribe added, “Before now, INEC held a stakeholders’ meeting and invited political parties. Even yesterday (Thursday), we held a meeting.
“I told them that what usually causes problems during elections is when people are prevented from voting or when materials are carted away, which makes people angry.
“I told the REC yesterday to ensure this election is conducted properly. This is his first time conducting an election in Rivers State, so they should allow people to vote. Materials should arrive on time so that people can vote and results can be declared.”
