From Paul Ibe, Enugu
As part of efforts to check all forms of electoral irregularities during next month,s general polls in Enugu state, the Independent National
Election{INEC} has removed all polling units located inside individuals residents, especially politicians.
Resident Electoral Commissioner [REC,in charge of Enugu state, Professor Eze
Onukaogu, made this known monday in Enugu during a session with
chairmen of political parties and stakeholders in the state.
He assured that no polling unit would be located inside people’s
houses or in front of the residence of traditional rulers, stressing
that those located in people’s houses have been removed and relocated
to neutral areas including open spaces.
The Enugu REC however, emphasised the need for sustainable development in
Nigeria, saying “if we don’t achieve good governance, we cannot have
sustainable development”
He stated that there was need for the
electorate to vote for lawmakers that can achieve sustainable
development for the country.
While soliciting the support of the chairmen of the political parties,
Onuakogu assured the party chieftains that with their support, the
commission would ensure a good electoral process next month.
He further told the leaders of the various political parties
that the commission was making efforts to ensure that electoral
materials arrived on time in the rural areas, advising them to release
their agents to inspect the materials before they would be taken to
the polling units.
Responding, Chairman of the All Progressive Congress{APC} and
Senatorial Candidate of the party in Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Dr
Ben Nwoye, had told Onukaogu that they in the opposition party believed that they were cheated in the last governorship election in Anambra State where the REC came from .
He also alleged that some staff of INEC were distributing the PVCs to
the ruling People’s Democratic Party, stressing that the PDP was
aggressive collecting the PVcs.
Nwoye therefore, advised INEC to make alternative arrangement should the electoral machines break
down, expressing dismay on the way machines used in the past
consistently disappointed the electorates.
