INEC promises free rerun in Anambra

The Independent National Electoral Commission, Anambra State office has expressed its readiness for a hitch-free re-run elections in 21 polling units across the state.

Following the Court of Appeal nullification of the initial elections in the affected polling units in the state, the INEC fixed February 3, 2024, for the re-run.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Elizabeth Agwu, during a media engagement in respect of the rerun elections held at the commission’s office in Awka, on Thursday, assured registered voters of their safety.

Agwu urged the electorate to come out en masse during the House of Representatives rerun election to be held across 21 polling units in the state on February 3, 2024.

She added that security is not going to be an issue as both human and material resources, including security operatives, have been deployed in the areas where the elections will be held.

She further assured the voters that their votes would count, adding that nobody would be intimidated or disenfranchised.

Agwu said, “The rerun election will take place in 16 polling units at Nanka in Orumba North Local Government Area to determine the winner of Orumba North and Orumba South federal constituency.

“Election will also be held and five polling units at Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area to determine the winner of Nnewi North and Nnewi South and Ekwusigo federal constituencies.

“The total number of registered voters at the affected polling units in Nnewi North are 97,438 while that of Orumba North is 161,914 voters.

“Do not be compromised. Vote for the best candidates that can represent you well. Do not say you won’t vote again because anyone is leading before. If you know the candidate you voted for before is still the same person you will vote for, come out to vote for him or her again.

“If you want to vote for another candidate, you are free to do so too. The election is going to be free, fair and credible. You will not be intimidated or molested by anyone. There will be enough security. Do not allow anyone to use you as a thug or scapegoat.”

She added that the commission has put measures in place to ensure there will be no room for manipulation, vote buying, or vote selling.

“The 2022 INEC electoral Act is against vote buying or manipulation and anyone caught will be prosecuted. All the candidates can still mobilise votes but political campaigns end two days before the election date.

“Please, note that only voters with permanent voter cards that are registered in the affected polling units are qualified to vote in these elections.

“BVAS will also be deployed for accreditation and voting. The election will start at 8:30 am and end by 2:30 pm. However, those in the queue on or before 2:30 pm will be attended to,” she added.