The News Agency of Nigera, NAN, reports that the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has discovered 19 illegal
polling units in Akwa Ibom State.
Mike Igini, a Resident Electoral Commissioner, disclosed this at an
Enlarged Stakeholders’ Forum in Uyo, Akwa Imo State, on Monday, the
illegal polling units were located in hotels, church and mosques, among
ludicrous places.
Igini said the illegal polling units were in Obot Akara and Uyo
local government areas of the state, adding that some of the polling
units were located in hotels, church, and mosques, among others.
He said INEC found that the polling units concerned were located in
violation of its guidelines, adding that there was the need to relocate
and rename some polling units in the state.
He warned politicians who might have plans to rig the 2019 general election to desist, saying “the INEC of today has evolved beyond rigging” but had “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,” he said.
“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.”
Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, Commissioner of Police in the state, pledged
the neutrality of the Police to ensure that all forms of intimidation on
the electorate are eliminated during and after the exercise.