As the date for the 30th July re-run State and National Assemblies elections draw closer, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry-Banigo has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to be proactive in its preparation to avert some of the pitfall of the previous re-run elections in the State.



In a statement through her Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, the Deputy Governor said the call became necessary to avert a repeat of another re-run election in the State.

She said it is sad that Rivers State is not being represented in some constituencies at both the State and National Assemblies and wondered who stands to benefit from such anormality.

The Deputy Governor said INEC must resist any act of partisanship and mobilise electoral materials, personnel timely and transparently, and take full responsibility for the smooth conduct of a free, fair and credible election.

Dr. Banigo stated that INEC should be in a better position to put all necessary logistic arrangement in place rather than looking for excuses insisting that the State Government is committed to playing its role in the re-run exercise.

She advised the Commission not to be intimidated by the antics and utterances of some politicians whose desperation is to occupy political offices through the backdoor, contending that politics should not be seen as a do or die affair.

The Deputy Governor stressed the need for INEC to maintain its neutrality in the electoral process to build confidence in the people so as to safe our democratic process.

She also advised civil society and international observers to effectively participate in the monitoring of the Saturday’s re-run.

Paul Damgbor
Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor

Source>>http://www.barbaric.com.ng/banigo-urge-inec-proactive-neutral/

Should a national body saddled with d responsibility of electoral processes just be told/urged thus? SMH for Nigeria. Nothing works