Enugu state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emeka Ononamadu has said that all INEC sensitive materials already distributed in the state will be returned back to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Ononamadu disclosed this in a press briefing Saturday evening at INEC state saecretariat , Enugu.
He stated that at the time of making the announcement for the cancellation, some of the sensitive materials had left CBN and got to council headquarters, while some were still on their way to council headquarters under heavy security escort.
“We have been directed to return all the sensitive materials to the CBN, Enugu. And the process is already on as I am briefing you now under heavy armed security to ensure that integrity of the materials will be ensured.
“It will be in the protective custody of the CBN, under heavy security presence, until Wednesday when it will be escorted by the same security personnel back to the council headquarters.
“While in the following day, beginning from Thursday, the sensitive materials will be moved to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) under heavy security as well,’’ he said.
He assured residents of Enugu state of the integrity of the electoral materials, especially the sensitive materials – ballot papers and its accessories as well as result sheets, which is Form EC 8B from the truck-pallets.
The REC, who expressed regrets for the postponement and inconveniences it might had caused the residents, said that the decision was taken to protect democracy.
“It is a painful decision, but one that must be taken to ensure integrity, a free and fair process,’’ he said.
Ononamadu noted that few slight lapses observed in the commission’s work in the state would be corrected before Saturday.
The REC also revealed that over 1.7 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) has been collected so far out of the 1.9 million registered voters in the state.
“I will urge the residents of the state to keep faith with the commission as we are poised to organize a credible, fair and free elections, come Feb. 23,’’ he said.
