INEC cancels observers, vehicle permits

Posted by admin Cross River, INEC Politics, State News Sunday, April 24th, 2011

The Independent National Electoral Conmmission (INEC) Cross River State, has cancelled observer and vehicle permits ahead of Tuesday’s House of Assembly polls. Though no reasons were given for the action, the INEC directed all those entitled to permits to come foreward for re-validation, re-accreditation and re-issuance.

The resident electoral commissioner (REC), Barr. Mike Igini, in a statement, equally directed all election observers, both local and foreign, who intend to observe the April 2011 House of Assembly election and two outstanding Senatorial elections in Cross River State to re-present themselves for re-accreditation on Monday, 25th April 2011, at the INEC, state headquarters by 10:00 a.m.

The statement, signed by the commission’s public affairs officer, Frank Osita Egbo said the commission has resolved to take the following measures for the April 26th elections, “that all corps members and other election officials would be conveyed from the INEC’s state office in Calabar, to their places of assignment for the April 26th 2011 election, and directed to be with their NYSC identification cards/other appropriate identification cards for non-corps members.

“Security agencies are by this medium and directive from their relevant agencies heads to note, apprehend and detain any defaulter till 20:00 hours on Teusday, 26th April, 2011.”

Finally, the INEC assures all voters that their votes in the April, 2011 elections would continue to be counted and taken into account as elections are won and lost duly at the polling booths”, the statement added.

However, the INEC warns that even as it enters into the crucial stage of the polls for the House of Assembly and two deferred Senatorial elections, 26th April 2011, that acts / reports of disenfranchisement of the voters in the state through voters’ card buy-back, undue inducement and intimidation of political party agents would not be tolerated by the commission.

Consequently, politicians, individuals and staff members of the INEC in Cross River State are hereby warned to be mindful of their acts, movements and relationship, as a tab has been placed on them for adequate and appropriate surveillance and policing by the security agencies. Similarly, the INEC hereby warns all those making overtures or threats to corps members/other election officials on the telephone to be mindful of their acts or expect dire consequences.

The commission also warned all individuals and groups parading themselves as “April 2011 election observers” without due and genuine accreditation to retire into their closets in their own interest or obtain essential /requisite documentation before the long arm of the law catches up with them.

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