12 Political Parties, 900 Candidates, Cleared for LG Election - AKISIEC Boss

***Says Commission is ready to conduct a generally accepted poll

By Uwakmfon Dan

A total of twelve political parties and Nine hundred candidates, have been cleared by the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), for Saturday's Local Government Elections in the State.

The Commission's Boss, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, revealed this, Wednesday, during a Press Conference with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, held at the Union's Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo.

Speaking at the event, Elder Ikoiwak, who said the Commission has taken possession of all sensitive and non-sensitive materials that ahead of the polls, pointed out that the non-sensitive materials have been deployed to the body's offices, across the 31 Local Government Areas in the State, while the sensitive ones will be deployed 24 hours to the election date.

"I am proud to announce to you that we have taken possession of all sensitive and
non-sensitive materials. Non-sensitive ones had been deployed to AKISIEC Area Offices in the 31 Local Government areas, while the sentive ones shall be deployed 24 hours to the elections.

While thanking the members of the forth estate, security, political parties and security agencies for the cooperation, Ikoiwak also announced that about 20 Observers have been accredited by the Commission, stressing that Card Readers will not be used for the polls.

He reiterated AKISIEC's determination to conduct a Local Government Election that will be generally accepted by people of State, saying all Ad-hoc staff recruited by the Commission have been trained, coupled with a retraining of the body's Electoral Officers and other support staff.

On the schedule of Saturday's polls, the Commission's helmsman revealed that voting by all eligible voters will commence by 8am up until 2pm, maintaining,  that Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) will be used for the exercise.

He advised all eligible voters to carry carry out their civic duties without fear of intimidation, as necessary security measures have been put in place to ensure their safety.

Responding, Chairman of NUJ, Elder Patrick Albert, thanked the leadership of AKISIEC, for recognising the prominent roles of journalists in the State and promised him that members of the Union will help in sensitising voters, during the  Local Government Elections on Saturday.

Highpoint of the Briefing was an interactive session among journalists and the leadership of AKISIEC, on key issues concerning the much anticipated polls.                        

SHARE THIS