RVHA Tasks RSIEC On 2014 Polls

The Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has urged the commission to begin immediate preparations for the 2014 local government elections.

The chairman of the committee, Hon. Legborsi Nwidadah said this at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt during the committee’s visit as part of its oversight function.

Hon. Nwidadah, who described the forthcoming election as very crucial and important to the state, however, expressed optimism that the just-concluded bye-elections in six local government area as well as the council election in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area has prepared RSIEC for the task ahead.

The committee chairman also urged the Ministry of Urban Development to remove all hanging illegal structures in and around the commission’s headquarters.

He said that the visit was to acquaint the committee with the activities of the commission and its challenges as well as shortcomings.

Also speaking, a member of the committee, Hon. Augustine Ngo described as appalling the condition of RSIEC headquarters, but noted that the blame could not be laid on the doorsteps of the government, as the government had tried to do a few things to give the place a facelift.

He also promised that the committee would meet with the commissioner of Power to discuss the power problem of the area.

Responding, the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Professor Augustine Ahiauzu called for the amendment of RSIEC law to enable political parties conduct primaries 60 days before the election.

Prof. Ahiauzu, said that following the experiences of the recent bye election in six local government areas, the commission was now working towards the 2014 local government elections.

He decried the poor conditions of the commission’s office, and disclosed plans by RSIEC to organise a seminar on political party and voters education.