By Ene Asuquo
Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner Prof. Gabriel Yomere told journalists that he has received all the sensitive election materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN for onward distribution to the 18 LGAs of the state for conduct of House of Assembly and Gov’ship polls in Cross River.
He had also assured the people of his readiness and willingness to sign all result sheets for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections slated for this weekend.
The Enquirer also gathered that the commission administrative secretary will sign the result sheets for the two elections.
The REC Commissioner Prof. Yomere dropped the hint in calabar while distributing sensitive election materials to the eighteen local government areas of the state.
He maintained that though the Electoral Act does not require the REC to sign the result sheets, but he would sign them so as to bring to an end doubts about the upcoming elections, stressing that as he speaks, the Commission have over 10 petitions written against the office.
“The rumour has been working very hard and there has been about 8 to 10 petitions regarding result sheets and also demands has been made that the REC signs them”.
“No provision has been made on this in the Electoral Act but whatever I do is with the fear of God”.
“Myself and management have elected to sign the result sheet and while I will sign that of governor, the administrative will sign that of the house of assembly”. The REC maintained.
Reacting, state Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council IPAC, Comrade Anthony Bissong, stated that the REC initiative is a welcomed development.
Bissong who doubles as state chairman of the Young People’s Party stated that their demand for signing of results sheets because they did not want a repeat of what took place during the last polls.
“there were observable lapses during the last elections where results were collated without result sheets.
“We do not want what happened in Cross River North during the last elections where result sheets were absent to repeat itself.
“The signing of the result sheets by the REC is like a security measure and this is the first victory shot as we push for credible elections in the state”. Bissong maintained.
The IPAC Chairman expressed it’s preparedness to follow distribution of materials to ensure that they are intact.
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