The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, has reaffirmed that the scheduled October 5th, 2024, local government council elections will proceed as planned.
Chairman of RSIEC, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, gave this assurance on Monday, during the ongoing training of master trainers for RSIEC staff at the Justice Mary Odili Institute in Port Harcourt.
“There is no court judgement restraining us from conducting the elections,” Enebeli declared, further citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that mandates the conduct of democratically elected local government councils across all states.
“On July 11 this year, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the highest court in the land, delivered a clear and comprehensive judgement that local government elections should be democratically conducted in all states yet to do so.
“The consequences for failing to adhere are obvious. Therefore, both the people of Rivers and the Federal Government are eagerly anticipating this election.”
Enebeli assured that the elections would be held in full compliance with the Rivers State Electoral Commission Law.
The RSIEC chairman stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is required to provide the voters’ register to RSIEC in line with the provisions of the law.
“Section 60, subsection 2 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Law of 2018 provides that no court proceedings shall restrain the conduct of primaries or elections.
“INEC is obliged to register voters for RSIEC elections. There is no legal impediment, and the Supreme Court has confirmed that we should conduct these elections. By the grace of God, October 5, 2024, remains sacrosanct,” he said.
While addressing the trainers and master trainers for RSIEC staff, Enebeli described the training as an investment that would enhance the integrity of the electoral process.
He reminded the master trainers of their responsibility to train RSIEC ad hoc staff and other electoral officers.
Enebeli also assured that the commission is committed to ensuring a free, fair, credible, and violence-free election.
The RSIEC chairman, while noting that the 10-day nationwide hunger protest affected the timetable, revealed that out of the 19 registered political parties, 18 are participating in the elections, with over 300 candidates contesting.
He further assured that the names of contestants who passed the screening process will be published between September 23 and 24, 2024.
