THE Cross River office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday received sensitive materials for Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Frankland Briyai, while receiving the materials at the Central Bank of Bank, Calabar, said the commission was now ready for the election.
“This is the last materials to arrive and they are ballot papers and Result Sheets meant for the elections. And by this, we are completely ready for the exercise.
“The trucks are already on the ground as you can see to convey them to the different local government area offices of the commission,‘’ he said.
He said over 1.6 million voters registered for the election in the state.
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The Commissioner for Police in the state, Mr Austin Agbonlahor, reiterated the readiness of the police to protect lives and property during and after the elections.
Agbonlahor disclosed this during the delivery of sensitive materials by the commission, adding that all the security agencies in the state have been mobilised to ensure a violent-free exercise.
“We are working together under the Inter-Agency Committee for Electoral Success (ICES) to ensure that the process is smooth and violent free.
“As for this election, we are together and we are fully prepared and ready to go. Our duties are to escort materials; protect the commission’s staff, protection of Accredited Observers and the electorate.’’
The commissioner, however, warned residents to avoid any breach of peace during and after the elections.
He added that the full weight of the law would be visited on anyone that foments trouble.
The State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr Pady Ally, described the commission’s preparation as very encouraging.
“So far, I think the commission has done very well in terms of preparations. I, therefore, advised everybody in the state to maintain the peace which this state is known for.’’
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