INEC Says Rivers Re-run Will Be Free, Fair And Transparent

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will ensure that the concluding part of legislative election in Rivers State, is conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.

Giving the assurance on Sunday, the electoral body said violence that erupted during the earlier held legislative re-run election of March 19, 2016, forced the INEC to suspend the exercise.
It pointed out that at the time the elections were suspended, voting had ended in certain constituencies with the winners declared while voting had been concluded in some areas but collation of results had not been completed.
A statement by the electoral body on its commitment to conducting the polls read: “Besides, certain unauthorised persons had put the Commission’s officials under duress to declare results at some locations, while balloting did not take place at all in others.
“In an effort to conclude the elections, the Commission held a Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja on 30th June, 2016, where it was agreed that the elections be held on 30th July, 2016.
“However, following persistent inflammatory comments by political actors in the state, an arson attack on the Commission’s office at Khana Local Government Area on 22nd July 2016 by unknown persons and credible security reports, it became impossible to hold the elections as planned”.
INEC further pointed out that the recent Edo and Ondo governorship elections “eloquently speak of the feat that can be achieved if all stakeholders do the needful