INEC discovers 19 illegal polling units in Akwa Ibom

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it has discovered 19 illegal polling units mostly located in hotels, church, mosques among others in Akwa Ibom.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Mike Igini, who disclosed this at enlarged Stakeholders’ Forum in Uyo, yesterday, said the illegal polling units were in Obot Akara and Uyo Local Government Areas.
The REC, who said the polling units were located in violation of its guidelines and added that there would be relocated as well as rename some, polling units in the state, said the relocation of the polling units should not be seen as a creation of new polling units.
The REC cautioned politicians who might have plans to rig the 2019 general elections to desist because INEC has evolved beyond rigging as it has “advanced to a level where everything is tracked.“ “We must conduct an election that will be accepted by the people without recourse to the tribunals.
We have done it elsewhere and we will do it here.
You are going to have little or minimal petitions.
Election is a time where the independence and integrity of institutions like INEC, security agencies and judiciary are tested.” The forum was organized to engage stakeholders of all political parties for a robust engagement.
The REC advised leaders of political parties in the state to talk to their party members the need for them conduct ensuring strict adherence to the code of conduct of the electoral acts.
He stressed the need for political parties to commence the process of identifying committed party members to serve as agents during the general elections.
Igini assured that the forthcoming election would not tolerate or accommodate thuggery in the state.
“Campaign messages should encapsulate the principles of accommodation, decency and with strict adherence to the rule of law.
He emphasised that the best way to win the forthcoming general elections was to mobilise supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Igini,however, noted that collection of PVCs in the state was 50 per cent, a development he described as very low.