Accreditation and voting have begun in the Rivers State local government election at polling units 14 and 15 in the Ikoku area of Port Harcourt City.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had earlier confirmed that all preparations were in place for the election on Saturday, October 5.
Tobin Tamunotonye, RSIEC’s Commissioner for Public Affairs and Civic Education, announced that sensitive election materials had been dispatched to various locations.
Reports indicate that both sensitive and non-sensitive materials have reached Registration and Accreditation Centers (RACs) in several local government areas, including the Government Technical College in Ahoada East.
The atmosphere across the state is typical for election day, with quiet roads, although the Nigeria Police Force is notably absent.
Governor Son Fubara, speaking on Friday, reaffirmed his decision to proceed with the election despite the Rivers State Police Command’s withdrawal from overseeing the process.
The governor accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of trying to interfere in the election to benefit “a politician based in Abuja.”
RSIEC has reiterated that the election will go ahead as planned, urging residents to cast their votes in line with the Electoral Act.
KanyiDaily had reported how Governor Sim Fubara foiled attempts by the police to take over the RSIEC office ahead of the Rivers LG elections on Saturday.