Our Reporter | 2nd November 2024
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As Cross River Independent Electoral Commission, CROSIEC commences the local government election in several locations across the state, reports reaching our newsroom from reporters in the field has it that the process isn't seamless and smooth as was promised by the election umpire.
Observations from the field reveals that in many polling units especially in Calabar Municipality, CROSIEC staff were not on ground with materials even as late as 10:30 am to commence the election process.
Reports also have it that in some polling units along Jonathan bypass and its environs APC thugs were said to have hijacked and materials meant for the election, while in some polling units election thugs believed to be working for the APC were seen thumbprinting in an uncompleted building.
Speaking with the state Chairman of SDP and chairman of the Local Government election monitoring committee under IPAC, Dr. Ambo Ekpenyong, he expressed disappointment over the process stating that the election has been compromised as APC agents were having a fill day in the field. He also blamed the opposition parties for not having experienced agents who will ensure the right thing is done in all polling units.
Reports from the central senatorial district as at press time has it that CROSIEC staff weren't given the result sheet to take to their polling units, which speaks volume and raises suspicion. The Chapter chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Boki Hon. Fabian Okwajie in a social media post informed that the process in Boki is condemnable as his party have recorded several unlawful happenings in the cause of the election. Particularly where materials were not complete in some units and result sheets not given to polling units as well as card carrying members of the ruling APC engaged by CROSIEC to conduct the election.
"…especially in reference to my community, Buanchor in Boki LGA, polling unit numbers 003, 004, and 025 are revealing. The individuals listed for these units are well known APC members from my community, yet they have been assigned as polling unit officers and clerks for today's election, organized by CROSIEC. This situation is disheartening, especially for a democracy striving to grow and strengthen over time…" He said.
In a telephone conversation with a Peoples Democratic Party stakeholder who preferred not to be mentioned because he wasn't authorised to speak to the press, TDN confirmed that the situation in the North is more serious as elections in Ukelle had been stopped as at the time of filing this report. According to our source, CROSIEC staff came to the field without a result sheet and declaration forms. After heavy protest by the opposition party the result sheets were released but the declaration forms weren't. Our source also informed us that some CROSIEC staff refused to mount their polling units. He added that with all these shenanigans, opposition parties had made sure the election doesn't hold till the needful is done.
Recall that CROSIEC had earlier during an engagement with journalists in the state while preparing to kick start the process promised to conduct a free, fair and just election giving all political parties a level playing ground.
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