The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the supplementary Election in Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa State for January 9, 2016.
As stated by a bulletin issued by INEC yesterday in Abuja, the electoral commission picked the date after a consultative meeting with leaders of political parties who fielded candidates in the December 5 inconclusive governorship election.
INEC according to the bulletin, stated that the participants at the meeting agreed to decentralise the distribution of sensitive election materials in the election.
It added that the stakeholders re-affirmed their commitment to the Peace Accord signed by all contestants and political parties in Yenagoa on November 11 for the conduct of credible election in the state.
“The meeting also called for the neutrality of the security agencies and emphasised that the lead agency in the election should be the Nigeria Police.
“It appealed to INEC to ensure the functionality of the Smart Card Reader (SCR) to eschew glitches in the election,” the bulletin noted.
Bayelsa State governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seriake Dickson confirmed that the political parties have agreed that the supplementary election should be held on Jannuary 9, 2016 to conclude the state election.
Dickson stressed that the PDP would work with INEC and also enlighten Bayelsa people on the need for them to come out and vote peacefully on the election date.
“The PDP is ready for the election in the remaining one local government, perhaps our strong local government. We are ready to go.”
He stated that it was not the number of registered voters that matters but those who had collected their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC)and turn out of the voters on election date.
Speaking in similar vein, the All Progressive Congress Candidates (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, expressed confidence of winning the state election when concluded.
He said, “As far as we are concern, we believe that we have won the election and we should be declared the winner.
“But if in the wisdom of INEC, it is its decision we should go for rerun, we are very ready for the election”.