Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has partnered with Journalists and leaders of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs in Ebonyi State, on the need to have peaceful Bye-Election for Senatorial Seat of Ebonyi South Zone.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs Onyeka Ugochi said the Bye-Election was occasioned by the appointment of the Senator representing the senatorial District in the Senate, David Umahi as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his subsequent resignation from the Senate.
“I am highly delighted to once again meet with you after the 2023 General Election, and to use this opportunity to commend you for your contributions to the success we achieved in the conduct of the Elections in Ebonyi State.
“It is not an over statement to state that without your support and co-operation we would not have achieved such a feat. It is my hope and belief that you will replicate such collaboration in the Ebonyi South Senatorial Bye-Election slated for Saturday, 3rd February, 2024.
“As you might have known, This is in fulfillment of the provision of the law, which states that a bye-election shall be conducted to fill any vacant elective position occasioned by death, resignation, recall or appointment into a different office.
The Election
“The Bye-Election shall be conducted in the five (5) Local Government Areas of Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ivo, Ohaozara and Onicha that constitute Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone. Ebonyi South Senatorial District has 57 Registration Areas (RAs)/Wards and 870 Polling Units where the Election shall take place. It also has a total of 436,254 registered voters. The details of these electoral data as per every LGA will be presented to you after this interactive session,” the REC explained.
Shw said though the Senatorial Zone has 436,254 registered voters, only those who have their Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs would be allowed to vote.
“This is one of the areas we would charge you to carry out adequate sensitization and publicity on the need for prospective voters to come out en mass with their PVCs to vote candidates of their choice come Saturday,3rd February, 2024,” Onyeka said.
She said out of the 19 registered Political Parities in Nigeria; only six (6) conducted congresses and primaries as monitored by the Commission. for the Bye-Election. The six (6) are:
Action Alliance (AA), Action Democratic Congress(ADC), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The six (6) Political Parties conducted their primaries to elect their Senatorial candidates between 6th and 9th January, 2024 in accordance with the time-table for the Bye-Election.
“About 3,662 ad-hoc staff will be required for the Bye-Election. This comprises: Returning Officer, LGA Collation Officers, Supervisory Presiding Officers, RATECHs and Local Government Supervisors, Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers I,II, and III,” she said.
She informed that the number of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) required for verification and authentication of voters for the Bye-Election has been selected and will be configured for deployment to the five (5) LGAs at the appropriate time.
Non-sensitive election materials are being selected and arranged LGA by LGA for deployment to the LGAs as well, while the sensitive ones are being expected from Abuja.
Security
“Adequate security arrangement is being made to ensure security of electoral personnel and materials before, during and after the Bye-Election.
“I wish to once again thank the Media for effective coverage and unbiased reportage of INEC activities in Ebonyi State, and the CSOs for adequate sensitization and enlightenment of the public for active participation in the electoral process.We urge you to continue in the like manner. On our part, we shall continue to carry you along in our activities as we strive to conduct free,fair, credible and acceptable Bye-Election in Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone,” she added.
Confidence Okwuchi
Comments are closed.