RSIEC SETS 5TH OCTOBER FOR ELECTIONS.
Katherine Abayomi
Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission announces 5th October for local government elections in the state and calls for residents and stakeholders to maintain peace during the exercise.
The Chairman of the commission, retired Justice ADOLPHUS ENEBELI made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting at the commission’s office in Port Harcourt.
Justice ENEBELI called on stakeholders to work with the commission in actualizing the set goal of conducting credible elections. He further stated that
“First-hand knowledge of the geographical landscape of our operational environment, which knowledge ie he factored into our logistics mechanisms for distribution and l of sensitive and non-sensitive materials on election day.
“Now, there is relative peace and prevalence of goodwill and harmony encompasses the larger section of our communities. it is our unwavering that our security agencies and the traditional institution at the local level will work more assiduously to sustain the much desired bling environment for peaceful conduct of elections.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me assert at this juncture that democracy has taken root in Nigeria, and all of us gathered here today have a duty to deepen the growth of Democracy, particularly at the local government level, which is the institution closest to the people.
Chairman mentioned that the commission is set by law,ever act is before ,during and after elections is prescribed by law.
” The Chairman and Members of the Commission hereby reiterate their determination to carry out their duties as outlined in the law. We shall organize and conduct free, fair, and credible elections in the 23 Local Government Councils. We shall provide equal opportunities/level playing ground to all the registered political parties. We shall be firm, resolute, and impartial. We are men and women of proven track record and we have our reputation to protect.
We enjoin all stakeholders present to partner with the Commission in this onerous task. As Thomas Jefferson once said, “That government is the strongest of which every man feels himself a part.” That is the essence of calling you to this all-important gathering. We are here today to unveil the guidelines and timetable of activities for the 2024 Local Government Elections; I humbly appeal to all politicians aspiring to contest for positions to do so in a civil and disciplined manner.
You are expected to play by the rules. The guidelines are set for the good of all, They are not intended or skewed against any party or individual. We all have a collective responsibility to consolidate our nascent democratic experience. He thereby cautioned that all stakeholders to act professionally,good ethics and civility before ,during and after the election.
On this note, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I will now proceed to formally unveil the 2024 Local Government Election Guidelines: “In exercise of the powers conferred on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) by Section 5 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law No. 2 of 201 8 all other powers enabling it in that behalf, to provide guidelines to political parties, stipulate the rules and procedure for electioneering campaigns for the 2024 Local Government Elections and any Run-off(s), Re-run(s) and Bye-election(s) that may arise therefore, the Commission hereby makes the following
Rules and Guidelines”: 1. Local Government Council Elections.
There shall be Local Government Council Elections on Saturday the 5h day of October, 2024 in all the 23 Local Government Areas listed in the 2nd Column of the Table and the First Schedule of this guideline, in which:- (a) (b) One Councilor shall be elected in each ward.
A Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be elected for each of the local Government Areas. At this juncture, it is convenient to call attention to Section 20 of the RSIEC law on theprocedure at elections, which mandates the Commission to give notice of Election.
