INEC Destroys Ballot Materials In Rivers

About ten lorry load, unused 2003 and 2007 electoral materials were evacuated for destruction last Thursday by the Zonal Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Port Harcourt.

Speaking to The Tide before the evacuation of the materials the zonal director of INEC  South-South, Mr. E. C. Onyekwere said the exercise  was in line with the electoral law.

Mr OnyekweRE also said the destruction was in preparation to bring new materials for the forth coming general elections next year, adding that this would   give way for the accommodation and storage of new materials when it arrived, ahead of the 2011 general election.

According to him, “we are bringing in new ballot papers both sensitive and non sensitive ballot materials that will be used for the 2011 election, hence we have to destroy the unused  ones”.

He further noted that the INEC was determined and committed  to ensuring a free, fair and credible election.

The Tide, learnt that the 2011 general election ballot papers would be  printed in United States of America.  Already, the INEC  chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega was in USA to  ??? arrangement of the printing.

Before now, three firms, Avante International  Technology, Zinox Technologies Ltd and Hoeir Electoral Appliances of China had earlier submitted proposals for the purpose of DDC machine which would be used for the voters registration in January.

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