The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced that local government elections will take place on October 5, 2024, across all 23 local government areas in the state. The election timetable and guidelines were unveiled by the commission’s chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retired), during 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 are scheduled to begin on September 4 and end on October 3, 2024.
Justice Enebeli stated, “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 are eligible to sponsor candidates in the 2024 Local Government Council elections provided that they complete and submit an Expression of Interest Form on or before Monday, July 15, 2024. The commission emphasized that political parties must not nominate multiple candidates for a single position, and substitutions will only be allowed in cases of withdrawal or death.
Campaign Guidelines
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 is set to begin on September 4, 2024, and will end on October 3, 2024. From midnight on October 3, 2024, no radio or television jingles, media statements, releases, news or advertisements, rallies, gatherings, or open meetings will be allowed.
“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,” Enebeli 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, 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.”
Inter-Party Advisory Council’s Assurance
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.
