From all indications, the 23 local government areas in Rivers State, currently being administered through caretaker arrangement will soon wear a democratic garb. This follows preparations by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), to conduct council elections in the State.
Announcing June 16, 2018 as the date for council elections in the State, the Chairman/Chief Electoral Commissioner, Justice C. I. Uriri (rtd), in a meeting with stakeholders, said that the commission had concluded plans to conduct council polls in all the 23 local government areas that make up the State.
Apparently citing relevant sections of the Electoral Law, the RSIEC boss explained that in compliance with the provisions of the enabling law, the commission was obliged by law to give 90-day mandatory notice to political parties and aspirants to set the stage for the elections.
Assuring that the electoral umpire would be guided by all enabling legislations relating to elections, Justice Uriri implored parties and politicians to avoid acts that are capable of jeopardising the electoral process.
While The Tide fully endorses the move to ensure that democratic norms and values prevail at the local government level, we are, indeed, gladdened by the level of seriousness and commitment exhibited so far by the Justice Uriri-led commission to conduct credible, free and fair elections in the 23 councils of the State.
The commission’s parley with security agencies, especially with the police, and other stakeholders is, to say the least, heart-warming and re-assuring. We expect this sensitisation and mobilisation to be a continuous one even after the elections.
Going by Justice Uriri’s antecedents, we believe that the commission will provide a level playing ground for parties and politicians to test their popularity in a free, fair and tension-free contest. The electoral body must, therefore, strive to adopt an open- door policy where all forms of complaints would be entertained on their merit.
The commission should also embark on massive voters education and training of electoral and ad hoc staff that would man the 23 local government areas, while also ensuring that adequate preparations are made for printing of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials ahead of time.
We want to also remind RSIEC that the success or otherwise of any election depends largely on the authenticity of the updated voters register which the commission must obtain early enough from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
We welcome the news that 67 political parties in the State have so far indicated interest to participate in the council polls. While we urge the political parties to support and co-operate with RSIEC in ensuring smooth and credible council polls in the State, we implore the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State to have a rethink on its decision to boycott the elections.
The fact that our local government areas are still under caretaker administration in a democratic setting should be a source of concern to all well-meaning citizens of the State, including politicians and political parties.
The Tide notes that virtually all neighbouring States in the South-South and South-East geo-political zones in the country have successfully conducted council polls, and Rivers State can not be an exception.
We must, therefore, move forward as a people with a common destiny, no matter our political affiliations or differences by ensuring that the local government elections are conducted as scheduled by RSIEC.