INEC distributes ballot papers for tomorrow’s polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom state yesterday commenced the distribution of electoral materials including ballot papers for the election coming up in the state tomorrow.

INEC’s head of Public Affairs and Political Party Liaison department in the state, Mr. Edwin Enabor, said that the materials were being distributed in good time to enable them reach their destinations before the commencement of elections tomorrow.

The materials are being distributed to local government electoral officers under the supervision of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Maria Owi, and with the representatives of all the registered political parties taking part in the election present. Mr. Enabor said armed policemen have been provided to escort the materials and officials to their various local governments and to the polling units on the day of the elections.

“We have segments of elections to take place in this state on Tuesday. We have the state governorship election. We have the state House of Assembly election. We have election into the Uyo Senatorial district and that of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency that could not hold on April 9 and postponed to this Tuesday. All these elections will hold this Tuesday in the state. We have materials for all the elections and they are the ones being distributed now.

“Yes, the senatorial election could not hold on April 9 because the logo of Labour party was conspicuously missing from the ballot papers meant for the election while that of the federal constituency could not hold because ballot papers for that constituency and the result sheets were not ready then. That was why we had to request the Commission’s national chairman to postpone the election after due consultations with the parties contesting the election in the state,” he said.

Mr. Enabor said the commission in the state has acquired enough vehicles and boats for the distribution of materials and personnel to both the hinterland and riverine areas. He said enough materials for the conduct of all the four elections in the state slated for tomorrow have been provided to the state, adding, “we are set for the conduct of the election in the state on Tuesday.”

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