The newly re-elected Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Konbowei Benson of Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 was yesterday issued Certificate of Return by the newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner, Austin Okojie.
Also issued the certificate after declaring them winner in the last Saturday re-run election into the state House of Assembly was Michael Egbere of Ekeremor Constituency 3.
In his opening remark, the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, expressed happiness over the conduct of the re-run election, saying his action was in compliance with the provisions of section 75 (1) of the electoral Act, 2010 as amended, which requires the commission to issue a sealed certificate of return to a candidate declared winner at an election within seven days of declaration of result of the election.
As stated by him, “As we are aware, the re-run elections conducted by the commission on the 5th day of March, 2016 was sequel to and in compliance with the orders of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division upon the conclusion of the hearing and determination of the appeals arising from the decisions of the Bayelsa State Electoral Petition Tribunal in respect of the elections conducted by the commission on the 11th day of April, 2015 for the two state constituencies”.
He thanked the candidates for what he described as exceptional and exemplary display of maturity and candor, saying the commission was hopeful that the trend has come to stay in the lexicon of electoral processes and activities in Bayelsa State.
Guardian