5th May, 2011
INEC says it has put everything in place to ensure that the supplementary governorship and State House of Assembly elections in some parts of Imo on Friday are free, fair and credible.
The new Supervisory Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the State, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwa, gave the assurance in Owerri on Wednesday.
Ikoiwa addressed a meeting with representatives of the participating parties, security agencies and other stakeholders.
INEC ordered the supplementary polls in four local government areas and a ward in Imo because the April 26 election in the state was inconclusive.
“We are here to conduct elections in Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Mbaitoli and Ngor Okpala local government areas as well as Orji Ward in Owerri North Local Government area and we have set upon ourselves to do just that.
“It is not our duty to elect who should govern the state or represent the people; it is the duty of the Imo electorate to do that,†he said.
Ikoiwa said that to ensure a level playing field for all the parties, the commission had drafted four new RECs, National Commissioners, Electoral Officers, Collation Officers and Returning Officers to organise the elections.
He appealed to the candidates to caution their supporters against violence during the exercise, adding, “INEC alone cannot make the election credible; we need the support of everyone to succeed.â€
He noted that some youths lost their lives in the course of the general elections, saying that such people paid the supreme sacrifice for the sustenance of democracy in the country.
“Their death is enough for us to agree that there will be no more bloodshed during elections,†he said.
The supervisory REC told the parties that materials for the elections would arrive in the state today and that their representatives would be invited to inspect them.
He restated that the parties were allowed to be represented by only one agent in a polling unit during the election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, also gave the assurance that the Friday rescheduled polls would be free, fair and credible.
Jega, represented by a National Commissioner in INEC, Mr Ishmael Igbani, said the commission attached importance to the supplementary election in Imo.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of election in the state, Mr Tambori Mohammed, said security agencies were fully prepared to ensure security before, during and after the election.
Mohammed warned that any person caught violating the electoral laws would be arrested and prosecuted, no matter how highly placed.
Heads of security agencies, party stalwarts, APGA governorship candidate, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and PDP Chairman in the state, Mr Eze Duruiheoma (SAN) attended the meeting.
Okorocha appealed to INEC to ensure that the elections were free and fair.