The Cross River State resident electoral commissioner, Dr. Emmanuel Alex Hart, has advocated for collaboration between INEC and the Ministry of Information and Orientation in the area of voter education.
Speaking during a courtesy visit on the state commissioner for information and orientation, Comrade Asu Okang, at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Calabar, Dr. Hart said due to diverse nature of the state, the commission depends on the ministry for multilingual messages disseminated through its robust information and communication architecture.He said the partnership would assist in further development of the electoral system in the state.
On the forthcoming Northern Senatorial District election, the REC assured Cross Riverians of his commission’s readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible poll in line with international best practices.
He said while the state awaits schedule for the vacant seat in the Cross River Northern Senatorial zone, he will soon embark on familiarization tour of the area ahead of the election.
Dr. Hart enjoined all stakeholders to play the game according to the rules and regulations guiding elections in Nigeria as that is the only way we can build an enduring democratic society as well as for the overall welfare of the state.
Responding, the state commissioner for information and orientation, Comrade Asu Okang, said he hopes that the new REC would improve upon past performances by maintaining the electoral umpire’s role of the election.
Welcoming the REC, he said Cross Riverians are “civilised and politically conscious people,” as shown in their massive turnout in the just-concluded local government poll.
The commissioner attributed such civility and consciousness to Governor Ben Ayade, who according to him, has redefined leadership through expansion and youth inclusiveness in governance.
He called on the REC to intervene in the delineation of political wards in Bakassi in conformity with Law 7 of the State House of Assembly as well as across the state considering the topography and geography of some of these communities.
