RSIEC Releases Timetable For Elections

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has published a time-table for re-run and by-elections in six Local Government Areas on February 23, 2013.

March 2, 2013 is the date for general elections in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The chairman of the commission, Professor Augustine I. Ahiazu unveiled the election guidelines yesterday at a press conference in Port Harcourt after the meeting with registered political parties in the state.

According to Prof Ahiazu, on February 23, 2013, there would be re-run elections in Ward 17 Khana and Ward 8 Oyigbo, while by-elections would be held in Ward 5, Asari-Toru; Ward I, Opobo/Nkoro; Ward 6, Eleme and Ward 2; Ahoada-East local government areas of Rivers State, respectively.

Prof. Ahiazu said on March 2, 2013, the commission would conduct general elections for councillorship and chairmanship positions in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni for the people to select new leadership that would run the local government council.

The commission boss directed all eligible registered political parties in the country that wish to sponsor candidates in the 2013 elections to complete and submit an Expression of Interest Form on or before January 9, 2013.

He reiterated the commission’s commitment to conduct fair and credible elections that would serve as an example on how 2014 local government elections would be conducted in the state.

“The commission would be committed to do the right thing, we must follow the Code of Conduct guarding the local government elections in the state.

We will not allow anybody including governments at any levels to influence the commission’s activities toward elections in the state. “All legitimate vote casts would be counted and protected accordingly,” Prof. Ahiazu said.

He called on the electorate and political parties to ensure that any vote cast is protected from the polling stations, to the final stage, when the result would be announced.