12,228 Security Personnel For Election In Rivers

APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, discussing with residents of Port Harcourt Waterfronts during an interactive session in Delta Hotels, Port Harcourt, recently.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 12,228 security personnel are required for tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections in Rivers State.
The commission also said it has received all sensitive election materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the elections.
The Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gesila Khan, who disclosed this on Wednesday at a stakeholders interactive forum said the commission would start distribution of the materials  to local government areas on Thursday and Friday.
The REC said the commission had formed an Inter- Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (IACCES).
According to her, “The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee On Election Security was made up of para-military in the state, adding that the agencies contributed their workforce together under the command and control of the Commissioner of Police who heads the election security in the state.
“Before now, INEC in Rivers State had visited these security agencies to solicit for their support and cooperation during elections and assurances were made,” she said.
She further disclosed that the committee has been meeting regularly to analyse and work out security strategies for effective coverage of the entire state.
She called on stakeholders to prevail on youths to shun all forms of violence and avoid being used by politicians to perpetrate acts that may lead to disruption of the elections, adding that the future of the nation belongs to them and therefore must help to deepen the democratic process.
Khan who noted that there was no shortfall in the number of ballot boxes and other election materials received, said the commission was not resting on its oars to conduct free and credible election in the state.
She said the commission has made adequate provision for logistics and has partnered with the National Union of Road Transport Workers to provide vehicles and boats for the election exercise.

Ike Wigodo/ Florence Ujile