From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it is introducing new measures or rules as a way of guiding the electorate and stakeholders in the forth coming Imo North Senatorial bye-election slated for Saturday 31, 2020
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), in Imo, Prof. Francis Ezeonu made this known at a press briefing in, Owerri on Wednesday.
Contrary to the former time of 8 am for commencement of elections, the Imo North senatorial bye-election scheduled for October 31, will start by 8: 30 am and end by 2: 30p.m.
Ezeonu said that the electorate, party agents, INEC adhoc and main staff and other stakeholders are expected to observe COVID-19 protocols which include wearing of face masks, washing of hands with soap under running water, use of sanitizer, and social distancing.
He said the commission will provide digital thermometers to check the temperature of all that would be involved in the election while an election result portal had been created.
“There are new rules guiding the election as a way of protecting our people against COVID-19.
“We are expecting people coming for the election to come with their face masks; we are maintaining social distancing; we going to have sanitizers and digital thermometers.
“In a bid to improve on the transparency of the election, INEC created an election result portal where polling units results would be published as they come to enable one monitor the election results,” he said.
He said that the list of candidates from the political parties are yet to be published, adding that it is the sole responsibility of the political parties to produce their candidates for election after their primaries.
