By Amos Odeh
The Local Government election is expected to hold Saturday in the eight Local Government Council areas of the state.
Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission Chairman, Remember Ogbe announced that about 44 political parties would be participating in the election including the People’s Democratic Party.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) has however boycotted the election, citing lack of confidence in the composition of the State Independent Electoral Commission.
The Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) urged all Bayelsans with their Permanent Voters Cards to file out in their numbers to their various polling units and vote for their preferred candidates come August 10, 2019.
Ogbe made this call while briefing the Press after a stakeholders meeting with party chairmen at his office in Yenagoa.
The Chairman has however, said that there would be restriction of movement between the hours of 8am to 2pm.
He said the action is to enable the commission conduct free, fair and credible local government elections.
According to the Chairman, voters are to come out to their respective polling units at 8:00am for accreditation and voting which will be done simultaneously as he called on the electorate to maintain orderliness while the BYSIEC field workers carry out their duties to ensure a peaceful, free, fair and credible process.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command led by Commissioner of Police, Mr. Uche Anozia deployed personnel to the various local councils, tasking officers and personnel drafted from neighbouring states to complement the efforts of the command to be professional during and after the local government polls in the state.
Anozia reminded them that the conduct of violence free, fair and credible election is anchored on their neutrality.
He warned against any act that will question the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force and urged them to remain good ambassadors in their place of assignment, to the police force, the state and the country at large.
The command’s helmsman advised politician, the contestants and their supporters to abide by the electoral rules and regulation, as anyone found wanting will be sanctioned in accordance with the constitution as well as its personnel against compromise.
Anozia further cautioned those with intent of snatching ballot paper/box, thuggery and other electoral violence during and after the election to steer clear of the polling units as the command was prepared to ensure rancor free election.
Anozia while assuring electorate of their safety urged them to come out in their numbers to perform their civic duties without fear of intimidation as officers have been deployed to all local government areas of the state.
