The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has confirmed receipt of non-sensitive electoral materials in preparation for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024.
According to RSIEC officials, the materials include voter registration lists, ballot boxes, and other essential non-sensitive equipment.
“We are pleased to announce that we have received the necessary non-sensitive materials, and our team is working diligently to ensure a smooth and transparent electoral process,” said an RSIEC spokesperson.
It bears mentioning that the commission assured stakeholders that sensitive materials, such as ballot papers, will arrive closer to the election date, under strict security and transparency protocols.
According to RSIEC officials, the materials include:
- Voter registration lists
- Electoral ward maps
- Polling station materials
- Training manuals for electoral staff
- Ballot boxes
- Indelible inks
- Manual papers for guide
- Pens
Our correspondents gathered that RSIEC staff and some ad-hoc staff had received partial payments for preparations for the polls.
A visit to the RSIEC headquarters along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, revealed minimal activities, with documents being moved and arranged. Some party candidates were also sighted submitting documents to the commission.
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However, further findings indicate that the commission is not strictly following the election timetable. A source in the Public Relations unit attributed this to the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, which disrupted schedules.
It is worth noting that the full list of party candidates, that is supposed to be displayed before now, is yet to be pasted. The Public Relations unit source explained that the delay of displaying the lists was to give ample time to political parties to complete their documentation and be on the same page with other parties.
