LG Polls: ENSIEC Begins Delivery Of Materials

The Enugu State
Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), has commenced delivery of non sensitive materials to the 17 local government areas ahead of the November 2 council elections in the state.
The Chairman of the commission, Dr Boniface Eneh, told newsmen in Enugu that the commission had started displaying the voter’s registers in the council headquarters and polling stations.
Eneh said that other non sensitive materials, including ballot boxes, inks and rubber stamps were also being delivered to the council areas.
“We are ready for the elections.  As I am talking to you, our electoral officers have started collecting the non-sensitive materials for delivery to the council areas.
“The voter’s registers are also being displayed in the council areas and some polling stations for verification.
“We will not leave any stone unturned in ensuring free and fair elections in the state’’ he said.
On security, the chairman said he had met with the police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure adequate security during the elections.
“I do not foresee any problems during the elections, but we have made adequate security arrangements for a hitch free polls’’.
Eneh said the commission would use “yes” and “no” voting system for areas with candidates standing unopposed while ballot papers would be used for other contestants.
“For unopposed candidates, we will use what we call `yes’ and `no’ ballot but the candidate must secure 25 per cent of votes cast in two-third of the wards that make up the local government.
“Where there are contestants, we will use ballot papers with party logos, to enable voters choose their candidates,’’ he said.
Eneh urged politicians not to see the elections as “a do or die affair” and advised them to follow the rules of the game.
He warned them against engaging in any form of electoral violence or campaign of calumny saying that rather, they should focus on developmental issues in their campaigns.

Free readers debating issues reported in newspapers displayed at a vendor stand at Alwell Bus Stop, Umuwaya Road, Umuahia, recently.