Oct Rerun Polls: Be Transparent, Banigo Tells INEC

The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be transparent and proactive by coming out with a clear-cut date and modalities for the planned October rerun elections in Rivers State.

Banigo also stressed the need for INEC to commence arrangement for the rerun polls by displaying names of ad-hoc staff for the rerun, a month ahead of the supplementary elections as a mark of transparency to avoid a repeat of the shortcomings of the March 19 rerun.

A statement by the deputy governor, yesterday, said the admonition became necessary to demonstrate the genuineness of the electoral umpire to conduct free, credible and fair election, and readiness to resist the temptation of playing to the gallery of the ruling party.

The deputy governor expressed concern that INEC, under the current leadership, has resorted to excuses and blame-game over its inability to conduct and conclude the litany of inconclusive rerun elections, particularly in the PDP-controlled states.

She wondered whether the actions and inactions of INEC were not a deliberate ploy to continually deny Rivers people the right of representation in both the National and State Assemblies.