Bye-elections set to hold February 21 without PDP, LP, ADC candidates — says INEC
Bye-elections set to hold February 21 without PDP, LP, ADC candidates — says INEC
The long-delayed bye-elections for Khana Constituency 2 and Ahoada East Constituency 2 seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly will go ahead as scheduled on February 21, despite the absence of major political parties.
The Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gabriel Yomere, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt.
Professor Yomere said the elections would be conducted without candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), explaining that their non-participation resulted from internal party issues and failure to meet procedural requirements within the stipulated timeframe.
According to him, the two constituencies have remained without representation for over two years, making the forthcoming polls crucial for democratic inclusion in the affected areas.
The Khana Constituency 2 seat became vacant following the death of its lawmaker, Dinebari Loolo, in September 2023.
Ahoada East Constituency 2, on the other hand, has been unoccupied since December 2023 after Edison Ehie resigned his mandate to assume office as Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor.
Yomere revealed that 12 candidates from seven smaller political parties are contesting the two seats, offering voters an opportunity to finally elect their representatives after a prolonged vacancy.
He assured residents of the affected constituencies that Independent National Electoral Commission has completed all logistical and administrative preparations to ensure hitch-free elections.
Emphasising the commission’s commitment to transparency and credibility, the REC added that all Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) to be deployed for the bye-elections are permanent INEC staff, not members of the National Youth Service Corps.
