We are prepared for rerun in Enugu State on Feb. 3 – REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is prepared to conduct the rerun elections some parts of Enugu State on February 3 as ordered by Appeal Court.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, disclosed this on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu, organised ahead of the polls.

Recall that the Appeal Court had ordered rerun in Udenu/Igbo-eze North Federal Constituency and Enugu South Urban State Constituency, respectively.

Chukwu said that both elections would be conducted in 25 Registration Areas, totalling 173 polling units.

He said that for Enugu South Urban State Constituency, there would be a rerun in eight polling units that had some discrepancies.

According to him, for Udenu/Igbo-eze North Federal Constituency, made up of two LGAs, namely Udenu and Igbo-eze North, elections will be held in 55 polling units in Udenu LGA and 110 polling units in Igbo-eze North LGA.

He said: “Working under the order of the court, which specified 90 days for conduct of the rerun elections, the commission has fixed February 3 for the exercise.

“We are prepared and have made necessary arrangements for hitch-free and inclusive rerun elections.

“That is the essence of this important stakeholders’ meeting.

“Presently, we have non-sensitive materials in INEC offices in the various LGAs involved in the exercise.

“The stakeholders will be carried along to unveil and monitor the sensitive materials as they arrive a few hours to the election day through the Central Bank of Nigeria, Enugu branch.”

The REC said that all the political parties that took part in the initial election would be participating in the rerun elections.

He said that the commission expected maximum cooperation from the political parties for a successful exercise.

Chukwu said: “INEC is poised to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent rerun elections.

“Personally, I am also assuring stakeholders of keeping to the commencement time of 8 a.m.

The stakeholders, who spoke at the meeting, pledged to assist and cooperate with INEC officials for peaceful and rancour-free rerun elections.