The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced that local government elections will be held on October 5, 2024, in all 23 local government areas of the state.
The commission’s chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retired), unveiled the election timetable and guidelines at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt.
According to the guidelines, registered political parties must obtain and submit their expression of interest forms by July 15, 2024.
Campaigns will begin on September 4 and end on October 3, 2024.
Addressing the stakeholders, Enebeli said, “In exercise of the Powers conferred on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) by Section 5 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law No 2 of 2018 and all other powers enabling it to provide guidelines to political parties, stipulating the rules and procedure for electioneering campaigns for the 2024 Local Government Council Elections and any Run-off(s), Re-run(s) and Bye-election (s) that may arise therefrom, the Commission hereby makes the following Rules and guidelines.
“There shall be Local Government Council Elections on Saturday the 5th of October, 2024 in all the 23 Local Government Areas listed in the 2nd column of the Table and the first schedule to these guidelines, in which: (a) One councillor shall be elected in each ward. (b) A Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be elected for each of the Local Government Areas.
“Criteria for Participation Political Parties in Nigeria shall be eligible to sponsor candidates in the 2024 Local Government Council elections provided that such political parties complete and submit an Expression of Interest Form to participate in the elections on or before Monday, 15th July 2024.”
The commission emphasised that political parties must not nominate multiple candidates for a single position, and substitutions will only be allowed in cases of withdrawal or death.
The chairman warned that campaigns must not disrupt other parties’ activities, and no political party or candidate can use government property or public buildings for campaign purposes.
The Campaign period shall begin on Thursday, 4th September 2024 and ends on Thursday, 3 October 2024. For the avoidance of doubt, there shall be no radio or television jingles, media statements, releases, news or .s, rallies, gatherings or open meetings, with effect from midnight of Thursday, 3rd October 2024.
“A political party. candidate or supporters shall not use any property or house belonging to the government before the election and shall not also convene any meeting in public buildings or places of worship.
“The campaigns of a political party or candidate shall not be disrupted or obstructed by another political party or candidate. To avoid conflicts, every political party shall.
He added, “Prohibition of Double Nomination, No person shall nominate more than one candidate for the post of Councillor or Chairman, except when the first nominated candidate dies before the election or withdraws from the election or the nomination is not accepted as valid.
“No person who has subscribed a nomination paper as a nominator may, so long as the candidate stands nominated, withdraw his or her nomination.”
The Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) chairman, Solsuema Osaro, assured that political parties are ready to participate in the elections and commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for creating a level playing field.
Osaro urged the commission to prevent imposters from hijacking political parties, as witnessed in previous elections. The commission’s guidelines aim to ensure a free and fair election, and the stakeholders are committed to a peaceful and successful electoral process.