The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) assured the public that it was ready to prevent a repeat of incidents that occurred during the Bayelsa State rerun election on December 5th, 2015, according to the Public Relations Officer for INEC speaking yesterday in Yenagoa, the State capital.
The spokesperson, Mr. Timidi Wariowei, whose comments came three days before the supplementary elections in the State also announced that the distribution of election materials has already commenced for the January 9th poll.
His statements come in the midst of accusations by both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) that they are sponsoring militant groups to commit violent acts.
Mr. Wariowei said INEC received the sensitive election materials on Wednesday and distribution had commenced beginning with the Ekeremor LGA on Thursday.
“Of course, all the material area now in our custody; the materials are ballot papers, result sheets among others,” he said.
Due to the widespread concerns about electoral malfeasance the distribution of materials will begin for “Southern Ijaw Local Government Area early morning of Saturday,” he disclosed.
Describing the situation in more detail Mr. Wariowei stated “you know that the real focus is the Southern Ijaw and we do not want what happened on December 5, 2015 to repeat itself again in the area; INEC is prepared to conduct free, fair and credible election for the betterment of the people.”
Mr. Wariowei also stated that INEC has more than 100 polling units ready to conduct the election and that some changes to the adhoc staff have been made “to ensure that the election is conducted freely.”
On security matters he stated "we have been collaborating with the Police and Army to ensure peaceful election in Bayelsa."
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