Gladys Nweke
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has concluded plans to conduct a by-election for the Port Harcourt Local Government Area state constituency 3 into the Rivers state House of Assembly on Saturday, August, 18 this year.
The Rivers state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Obo Effanga, who made the disclosure on Friday while briefing newsmen in his office in Port Harcourt, also said that a stakeholders meeting for this purpose will hold Tuesday next week at the state INEC office.
He read a Press Release from INEC HQ in Abuja dated July 26, 2018 and signed by Mrs Augusta C. Ogakwu, Secretary to the Commission which stated that following the notification of vacancies by the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Taraba State House of Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled by-elections to fill the vacancies on Saturday, the 18th of August 2018.
According to the release, the last day for the conduct of primaries by political parties to choose their candidates is next week August 1, while August 3 and 10 are the last days for submission of forms CF001, CF002 and nomination forms at INEC HQ in Abuja and publication of names of candidates respectively.
While August 16 has been fixed as last day for campaigns by political parties and their candidates, the political parties are expected to have submitted the names and addresses of their party agents to the Electoral Officer by August 10.
The PHALGA state constituency 3 became vacant when the incumbent, Victor Ihunwo resigned to contest for the chairmanship of the Port Harcourt Local Government Area which he won.
Mr Effanga stated that the election will hold only in constituency 3 of the LGA, which according to him has eight wards and 141 polling units.
 said it has concluded plans to conduct a by-election for the Port Harcourt Local Government Area state constituency 3 into the Rivers state House of Assembly on Saturday, August, 18 this ye){kind=link}