Long awaited Local government polls to hold on Saturday in Cross River
by Agosi Todo, Calabar
The long awaited Cross River State local governments’ election which was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic has now been rescheduled to 30th of May 2020.
This was disclosed in a press statement signed and issued today (Monday) by the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), Chairman, Dr. Mike Ushie, noting that accreditation would and voting would start by 8.am and closes by 3.pm on the same day.
It would be recalled that since the administration of the state governor, Senator Ben Ayade, no local government election has been held; only Head of Local Government Areas (HOLGAs) are heading LGAs in the state.
Although the state government had more than three times fixed local government elections which were later rescheduled or canceled before the outbreak of COVID-19.
In view of this, some concern stakeholders in the State National Assembly including opposition parties in the likes of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Social Democratic Party in Nigeria (SDP) have severally kicked against the running of local government areas without Chairmen and chancellors of wards.
The statement further said that voting would take place in all the polling stations as no loitering would be allowed in such zones.
It partly read, “Notice is hereby given to all citizens of Cross River State that the 2020 Local Government elections earlier scheduled to take place on the 28th of March, 2020, shall now take place on Saturday, 30th May, 2020.
“Accreditation and voting starts 8.am on that same day and closes 3.pm to give room for collation. All movement is restricted except those on essential and election duties. Markets and shops shall remain closed within the period.”
The Chairman however stated that all voters must adhere strictly to all COVID-19 precautionary measures stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control such as wearing of face mask, washing of hands, the use of hand sanitizer and most importantly, maintaining physical distance during the voting exercise.
He added that, “security agencies are hereby requested to maintain adequate security throughout the period. The State Independent Electoral Commission wishes all a peaceful election, but shall not hesitate countermand the polls where security is breached.” CROSIEC warned in the statement.