The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, says it’s putting all the necessary measures in place for the peaceful conduct of August 30th scheduled local government election in the state.
The RSIEC boss, Dr Michael Odey stated this at an interactive meeting with Civil Society Organizations CSOs and the Media at the commission head quarters situated on ABA Road Port Harcourt.
He said the commission is working tirelessly with security agencies to ensure a hitch Free and seamless elections come 30th of August 2025.
Fielding question from newsmen and CSOs the RSIEC boss said special attention will be paid to the people with special needs, pregnant women and the Elderly during the voting process to ensure no one is disenfranchised from the process.
He appealed to the CSOs group, the media to assist RISIEC in acting as voter educators and mediators ahead of the polls, particularly in rural communities, stressing that civic education is critical to reducing misinformation and increasing voter participation.
“This meeting will strengthen our relationship with CSOs in the area of voter education. CSOs are the voice that amplifies voter awareness; their role cannot be overemphasized,” Odeh said.
According to him, credible elections are a product of collective effort involving the election management body, security agencies, civil society, and the media.
RISIEC Commissioner in charge of Budget, Statistics, Research, and Training, Professor Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, disclosed that budgetary provisions for the smooth conduct of the elections have been made. He said non-sensitive materials have been printed, logistics arrangements concluded, and field officers trained.
“We have met with all stakeholders, and necessary preparations are in place to ensure a smooth exercise,” Torbira stated.
Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, Executive Coordinator of Relief International Africa, Isaac Green, pledged the group’s commitment to working closely with the commission to educate citizens in both rural and urban areas, counter misinformation, and encourage voters turnout.
“Our role is to educate, observe, and ensure communities are involved in the process while trusting in the commission’s ability to deliver. We are not partisan,” Green affirmed.
For his part, representative of the Commissioner of Police, ACP Okolo said the command has put necessary measures in place to ensure that there will be no form of security breach, before, during and after the elections.
Meanwhile, the RISIEC Commissioner for Administration and Legal Services, Professor Chidi Haliday, confirmed receipt of a list of candidates from the Chief Emeka Beke led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but clarified that the submission was only accepted for record purposes and will not be recognized for the elections.
Haliday explained that the faction did not meet the deadline for the submission of nomination forms and that RISIEC did not monitor its primaries. He stressed that no court has the power to impose an executive on any political party and reiterated that the commission will not interfere in party leadership disputes.