The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is over 95 per cent ready to conduct a hitch-free rerun elections in two constituencies within Enugu State as ordered by the Court of Appeal.

INEC will conduct a rerun in Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency and Enugu South (Urban) State Constituency on Saturday, Feb. 3.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Chukwuemeka Chukwu, told journalists on Friday in Enugu that the commission had deployed over 700 staff and ad hoc staff as well as 700 armed security men for the rerun.

Mr Chukwu explained that the over 700 staff and ad hoc staff deployed included presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, electoral officers, registration area officers, collation officers and two returning officers, among others.

He said that the commission had perfected arrangements with transport unions and had made 50 per cent payment to them to ensure that they deliver on human and material logistics for the election.

The REC said that apart from the regular election observers and monitors, the çommission had appointed three special monitors for the three local governments involved.

According to him, with the water-tight arrangements, it is clear that INEC will deliver a credible, fair and seamless Election, which is devoid of violence and rancour.

“We encourage all eligible voters involved to come out en mass to exercise their franchise as we have security men well on ground,” he said.

Mr Chukwu said that no fewer than 67,315 eligible voters will participate in the re-run between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3.

He said that a total of 173 polling units in 25 Registration Areas, popularly known as political wards, would be open for Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency and Enugu South (Urban) State Constituency re-run.

The REC said that for Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, there would be a total number of 62,697 eligible voters within 24 Registration Areas as well as 165 polling units.

He said that for Enugu South (Urban) State Constituency, there would be a total number of 4,618 eligible voters within one Registration Area (political ward) as well as eight polling units.

He said that just like the main 2023 elections, all technological devices of INEC would be deployed; these included the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

Mr Chukwu assured that any eligible voter who made himself/herself available before 2:30 p.m. must vote, and his/her vote will count.

(NAN)