The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started the distribution of sensitive election materials ahead of the Rivers South-East senatorial bye-election scheduled for Saturday. The exercise took place at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where the materials were sorted and prepared for deployment.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers State, Dr. Johnson Alalibo, said during the process that all materials were properly secured and remained intact without any signs of tampering. He explained that the commission is working to ensure the materials are safely moved to the seven local government areas where the election will be conducted.
Alalibo said INEC is fully prepared for the bye-election and assured that the process would be conducted in a credible, transparent and peaceful manner. He also urged political party agents and election observers to remain vigilant and ensure that the process is not disrupted or manipulated.
The distribution exercise was monitored by INEC National Commissioner overseeing Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States, Prof. May Agbamuche-Mbu, alongside resident electoral commissioners from Katsina, Kano and Adamawa states.
Security agencies, political party representatives and other stakeholders were also present as officials sorted ballot papers and result sheets for onward movement to the affected local government areas.