The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has discovered 19 illegal polling units in Akwa Ibom State.
According to NAN, Mike Igini, a Resident Electoral Commissioner, disclosed this at an Enlarged Stakeholders’ Forum in Uyo, Akwa Imo State, on Monday, the illegal polling units were located in hotels, church and mosques, among ludicrous places.
Igini said the illegal polling units were in Obot Akara and Uyo local government areas of the state, adding that some of the polling units were located in hotels, church, and mosques, among others.
He said INEC found that the polling units concerned were located in violation of its guidelines, adding that there was the need to relocate and rename some polling units in the state.
He warned politicians who might have plans to rig the 2019 general election to desist, saying “the INEC of today has evolved beyond rigging” but had “advanced to a level where everything is tracked”.
“We must conduct an election that will be accepted by the people without recourse to the tribunals. We have done it elsewhere and we will do it here,” he said.
“You are going to have little or minimal petitions. Election is a time where the independence and integrity of institutions like INEC, security agencies and judiciary are tested.”
Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, Commissioner of Police in the state, pledged the neutrality of the Police to ensure that all forms of intimidation on the electorate are eliminated during and after the exercise.
