The Resident Electoral Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for Rivers State, Mr. Obo Effanga has reiterated the preparedness of the commission to conduct elections in Rivers State.
The REC, who was speaking in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt shortly after a one-day seminar on “Mitigating Violence Against Women”, said that “materials for the elections ready and we are training the adhoc staff who could be used for the election”.
Effanga said INEC had been organising seminars and meeting with the different stakeholders in the state to ensure a peaceful process during the election, adding that the 91 political parties would be given a level playing ground to participate in the electoral process.
“There are 91 political parties in Nigeria and as far as INEC is concerned, each of the political parties is important and has the right to participate in the election. We are giving a level playing field for every party.
“Who wins will be determined by the people’s vote”, he said, adding that INEC would use the youth corps members, students of tertiary institutions and staff of federal government agencies, ministries and departments.
He noted that INEC had no intention of using the N-Power staff for the election.
On the issue of integrity on the part of INEC, Effanga said “INEC members know the implication of compromising in their duties because they stand the risk of being jailed”.
The resident electoral commissioner also said the seminar was organised to alert women, who formed the integral part of the electoral process, the need to fully participate in the election.
He said the move was geared towards ensuring a peaceful election where women would feel safe to participate.
Effanga called on the people of the state to ensure that they picked their voters card which he said qualifies and empowers one to exercise his or her civil right.

Lilian Peters