Rivers Guber Election: INEC Sends Message To APC, PDP, Others

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State has asked political parties to be patient with their request to inspect election materials used in the presidential and governorship elections.

In a statement on Tuesday, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Johnson Sinikiem, said the request from 50 applicants for the inspection of election materials will be granted.

Sinikiem also solicited the cooperation of all political parties seeking the inspection of election materials, saying it will discharge its constitutional and lawful duties “without preferences or bias”.

He said the applications of Certified True Copies of documents and access for inspection of election materials are the legitimate entitlement of candidates and parties to Election Petitions.

Sinikiem, however, said the applications are governed by processes and procedures which include payment of requisite fees, making copies/photocopies of relevant documents, and certification by the authorised official of the Commission.

He added that a good number of the applications from the parties have been processed in accordance with the date of receipt of such applications and payment of certification fees, adding that the process is ongoing.

The statement partly reads: “The Commission has received nearly fifty (50) of these applications since the conclusion of the Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly elections Rivers State, and a good number of these applications have been processed in accordance with the date of receipt of such applications and payment of certification fees. This process is still on-going.

“The Commission have also advised all applicants to visit our Local Government offices where these documents are domiciled for inspection while we work out modalities for inspection of other documents domiciled at the State office in accordance with available spaces but they insisted that the huge volumes of documents like ballot papers be brought to the state office. They are once again reminded to avail themselves of this opportunity at our Local Government offices to inspect these materials as earlier advised.

“The Management of INEC Rivers State, therefore, wishes to assure all applicants and the general public that the Commission is committed to discharging its constitutional and lawful duties without preferences or bias, and do request the cooperation and understanding of all Parties and the general public to enable us to serve you better.”

Naija News reports that members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have clashed at the INEC office in the state over the inspection of election materials.

The clash led to the alleged death of a member of the PDP and injuring of several party members and supporters.