RIVERS ELECTION: INEC To Issue Detailed Timelines For The Completion Of Election, 20th March

The Independent National Election Commission, (INEC) has
concluded that it will issue detailed timelines and activities for
the completion of the Rivers State election on the 20th of March,
2019.

This was contained in a press release dated the 15th of March,
2019, under the designation of the National Commissioner and
Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye
Esq., which was made available to TheNigerialawyer (TNL).

TNL recalls that pursuant to the suspension of the electoral
processes in Rivers State on the 10th of March, 2019, that there
was widespread disruption of collation of results of the elections
conducted on the 9th day of March, 2019, the Commission set up a
fact-finding Committee to assess the situation and report back
within 48 hours.

Following the meeting on the 15th day of March, 2019, the
Committee resolved that the Governorship and State Assembly
Elections took place in most of the polling units and results were
announced; that the results from 17 Local Government out of 23 are
available and are in the Commission’s custody; that the declaration
and returns for 21 state Constituencies out of 32 were made prior
to the suspension; that collation centres were invaded by some
soldiers and armed gangs resulting in the intimidation and unlawful
arrest of election officials thereby disrupting the collation
process.

The Commission further held that it expresses displeasure over
the invasion, that it is committed to expeditious completion of the
collation process where results of the elections have been
announced, and that it will engage stakeholders and the security
agencies at the National level to ensure the conduction of a free
and free election.

Based on the findings, the Commission is expected to issue a new
timeline for the completion of poll for the Rivers gubernatorial
poll.