By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Akwa Ibom state government has said it would shut its borders on Saturday as part of measures to ensure a hitch free Local Government elections in the state.
A statement from the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem yesterday in Uyo explained that this would affect all Inter-state border entry points, leading into the state and would be between 7am and 2pm.
The statement further directed that human and vehicular movements would also be restricted from 7am to 2pm while eligible voters are tenjoined to stay within the premises of their polling units during the period of the elections.
“Those on essential duties, viz: medical personnel, electoral officials and election observers, accredited pressmen be exempted from the movement restrictions.” It said.
Meanwhile, in order to enable active participation of civil servants in the election, work would close at 2pm on Friday while the subsisting state-wide daily curfew of 8pm to 7am would remain in force till further notice.
“All citizens and residents are advised to continue to be law-abiding while voters, while queuing to exercise their franchise, should comply with the AKSG/NCDC/WHO approved COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocols.
“All Security Agencies have been briefed to strictly enforce this restriction of movement directive.” It said.
In the meantime, chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Aniediabasi Ikoiwak has announced that the commission would deploy new electronic gadgets for more effective operations.
Ikoawak said the new device would enable the commission’s officials monitor the time of arrival of materials at respective polling units in the state.
He further declared that candidates of the National Rescue Movement, NRM, were disqualified because the party attempted to field candidates without supplying adequate details as required by the electoral law.
“The Chairman of the National Rescue Movement came to my office after the deadline for submission of forms of all candidates to tell me to input the name of candidates of Esit -Eket and Ukanafun, and I told him that such act is against the electoral law.
“AKISIEC did not disqualify anybody. Let me also say that for you to be a candidate you must qualify to be a candidate and follow given guidelines for electoral process.
“The details of the running mates of the two candidates were not supplied and as such they failed to meet the requirements.” The chairman explained.
