RSIEC Assures Hitch-Free Election In Degema

Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission says it is fully prepared to conduct a free and fair election in Degema.

Speaking to newsmen during an interactive session, at the weekend in Port Harcourt, the Commissioner for Communication and Civil Education, Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack, said the forthcoming September election in Degema Local Government Area was important because it would be litmus test for the commission to prove its abilities to conduct subsequent elections in the future in the state.

He recalled that Degema election was conducted in November 2010, while the determination of the substantive suit for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni election petition was still in court.

On the Hon Justice Aprioku’s judgement, the commissioner said, it was in line with provision of the electoral law.

He explained that, the commission gave enough notice to the 60 political parties registered with the commission.

According to him, in order to avoid litigation against the exclusion of any candidate, the commission extended the date of submission of forms with earlier notice to the political parties.

He expressed shock, when Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) challenged the commission on an action that was in line with the electoral laws.

Hon Walson-Jack explained that the judgement will strengthen the resolve of the commission to be upright in conducting a free and fair election during the next month’s local government election in Degema.

He warned that the commission would provide zero tolerance to rigging and violence in the forthcoming election in the area.

Enoch Epelle