The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared its readiness, stating that it is over 95 per cent prepared to conduct re-run elections in two constituencies within Enugu State, as mandated by the Court of Appeal. The re-run is scheduled for Saturday in Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency and Enugu South (Urban) Constituency.
Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, informed journalists in Enugu on Friday that the commission has deployed over 700 staff, including ad hoc personnel, as well as 700 armed security personnel for the re-run. The deployed staff encompass various roles such as Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Electoral Officers, Registration Area Officers, Collation Officers, and two Returning Officers, among others.
Chukwu highlighted that INEC has finalized arrangements with transport unions and has made a 50 per cent payment to ensure the smooth delivery of human and material logistics for the election. In addition to regular election observers and monitors, the commission has appointed three special monitors for the three local governments involved.
He emphasized, “With the water-tight arrangements, it is clear that INEC will deliver a credible, fair, and seamless election, devoid of violence and rancor. We encourage all eligible voters to come out en masse to exercise their franchise, as we have security well on the ground.”
Chukwu provided details on the upcoming re-run, stating that a total of 67,315 eligible voters are expected to participate in the election, scheduled to take place between 8 am and 2:30 pm on Saturday.
He specified that there would be 173 polling units spread across 25 Registration Areas, commonly known as political wards, for the Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency and Enugu South (Urban) State Constituency re-run.
For the Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, Chukwu mentioned that there are 62,697 eligible voters distributed among 24 Registration Areas and 165 polling units. In the case of the Enugu South (Urban) State Constituency, there are 4,618 eligible voters in one Registration Area and eight polling units.
Chukwu emphasized that INEC would deploy all technological devices used in the 2023 elections, including the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System and the INEC Election Result Viewing Portal.
He reassured the public that all rules and regulations applicable to general elections would be observed during the re-run, emphasizing that any eligible voter present before 2:30 p.m. must cast their vote, and their vote would be counted.
