The Rivers State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its readiness to use the forth coming August 18, bye-election for Port Harcourt constituency III to test-run the 2019 general elections in the State.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Obo Effanga stated this during a stakeholder’s interactive forum held in the commission’s office in Port Harcourt.

According to REC, the by election will hold on August 18 while expression of interest, party primaries and campaigns begins from August 3-16 and cautioned Politicians and their supporters to devote their time on wooing prospective voters instead of indulging on how to manipulate results of elections.

He reiterated the commitment of the commission to follow due process stressing that it will not succumb to the wishes of any particular party.

State Commissioner of Police, CP Zaki Ahmed represented by DCP Stephen Hassop said the Force was at all times ready to do its job professionally and appealed to youths in the state to avoid being used to precipitate violence during the election.

He emphasized that the Police will maintain its apolitical stance while protecting the voters, election personnel and materials during the election.

Director of National Orientation Agency, Mr. Oliver Wolugbom called on INEC and politicians to always play according to rules stressing that the August 18 bye-election and subsequent ones in 2019 should be used to change the narratives on the image of the state.

The NOA Director regretted that the State has become nationally notorious for unending rerun of elections. The forum also had contributions from various Civil Society organizations and others on the conduct of free, credible and fair election in the state.
The seat became vacant when the member representing the constituency Victor ihunwo became a local government chairman.
As for takum constituency 1, the seat became vacant with the death of mr Hosea in who represented the constituency. He was kidnapped in December and found dead in January. The speaker of the taraba state assembly wrote to increase on 24 July notifying inecof the vacancy which necessitated inec fix 18 for the bye polls

the two turfs are Pdp bases and i expect pdp to win.but i see apc polling at least 30% here