The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged stakeholders to promote peace and ensure credible Rivers House of Assembly by-elections scheduled for Feb. 21.
The appeal was made by the Rivers Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Yomere said the poll was vital for voters in Ahoada-East II and Khana II constituencies, who had remained without representation at the state level.
He said INEC had begun preparations, including deploying trained personnel and ensuring timely distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.
“The by-election will involve 112,950 registered voters across 14 registration areas and 242 polling units in the two local government areas. We have commenced all necessary internal preparations towards a successful bye-election,” he said.
Yomere urged political parties and candidates to uphold internal democracy and responsibility during primaries scheduled to hold by Jan. 23.
“Elections should be contests of ideas, not battles marked by intimidation, destruction or viõlence,” he said.
He commended security agencies for professionalism and assured them of INEC’s continued collaboration to ensure a secure election environment.
Yomere also encouraged political parties, civil society groups and the media to support voter education, peaceful participation and counter misinformation.
He disclosed that INEC commenced the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise on Jan. 5 across all registration centres in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers, Mr Olugbenga Adepoju, appealed to stakeholders to ensure peaceful by-elections, stressing that security remained everyone’s responsibility.
Represented by CSP James Njoku, Adepoju emphasised collaboration between security agencies and the public for a credible electoral process.
“Security agencies cannot do it alone without your contribution. We appreciate your efforts towards the safety and security of our state,” he said.
Adepoju warned against electoral violence, describing it as any act intended to intimidate, harm or abuse electoral stakeholders.
He urged stakeholders to educate relatives and party members on the dångers of electoral viõlence and its consequences.
Adepoju appealed to youth, religious, community and political leaders to encourage followers to shun viólence and promote peace.
He assured that security agencies would work together to safeguard lives and property for the conduct of free and fair elections.
The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr Nnanna Onyekere, praised INEC’s proactiveness, saying it boosted confidence in a credible election.
“We assure you there will be no violence. There will be peace across the state,” Onyekere said.
He commended INEC for moving voter registration to ward level, noting it would ease access for prospective voters.
Onyekere called on political parties to collaborate with INEC and expressed confidence that the by-elections would be peaceful and successful.
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