Again, INEC Postpones Rivers Rerun Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
has, again, postponed the rerun legislative elections in
Rivers State which were scheduled to hold on July 30.
While the commission did not disclose a new date for
the elections, it noted that it was compelled to
postpone the re-run election a second time because of
the reports of violence, maiming and fatalities which
caused the initial postponement of the polls in March.
INEC had earlier vowed not to return to conduct rerun
polls because of violence that trailed the process.
However, following complaints from various quarters,
INEC in June 20, met with political parties, civil society
organisation and other stakeholders in Abuja and fixed
June 30 as new date for the conclusion of the poll.
But according to a statement by the secretary to INEC,
Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, the commission said that “as a
responsible organisation and conscious of the
violence, maiming and fatalities which accompanied
the previous election in March as well as developments
in the state since then, the commIssion cannot ignore
such credible reports.
“In the circumstances, therefore, it is compelled to
further postpone the rerun legislative elections in
Rivers State as one of the principal conditions earlier
stipulated for the return of the state for the conclusion
of the election has, regrettably, not been met.”
The commission noted that it was conscious of the
efforts of respected individuals, organisations and
leaders to douse tension and ensure a conducive
atmosphere for elections to hold.
Justifying its decision to postpone the polls, INEC said
it has a responsibility to also ensure that voters,
electoral personnel, observers and other stakeholders
are not exposed to undue threats to their lives.
“This, the commission holds, is also a collective
responsibility to be borne by all political actors
irrespective of political positions and affiliations. If the
goal of political contests is to serve the people, then
there is no greater service than ensuring, at all costs,
the preservation of the lives of the people whom such
services would be rendered,” INEC said.