By John Odhe, YENAGOA
The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), in Bayelsa State has held a strategic stakeholders meeting with political parties, security agents and other relevant bodies, commending political parties for maintaining the peace since the beginning of campaigns ahead of the 2027 election.
The commission urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to sustain the peaceful atmosphere throughout the campaign period.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Malam Isah Shaka Ehimeakhe, made this known during the meeting at the Professor Yakubu Mahmood Media Centre in Yenagoa.
“This meeting provides an opportunity for me to brief you on the activities undertaken by the commission within the period under review, highlight ongoing electoral preparations and solicit your continued support towards the successful conduct of the 2027 general election.
“These activities are essential to promote transparency, accountability and confidence in the electoral process,” the REC said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, Ajao Saka Adawale assured residents of the police command’s professionalism and commitment to maintaining law and order before, during and after the 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, political party leaders have pledged to conduct issue-based campaigns, focusing on policies and programmes that address the needs of the people.
The party leaders, including the Bayelsa State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Warman Ogoriba; the Deputy State Chairman of the Nigerian Democracy Congress (NDC) Dr. Pabra Newton Igwele; and the State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Afo Ebibofayei, gave the assurance at the meeting.
The INEC resident electoral commissioner also disclosed that a total of 52,225 Permanent Voter Cards, (PVCs) had been allocated for distribution and collection under phase one of the recent voter registration exercise in Bayelsa State.
He said the allocation covered the state’s eight local government areas, with Brass receiving 6,211 PVCs, Ekeremor 12,023, Kolokuma/Opokuma 3,712, Nembe 3,620, Ogbia 3,132, Sagbama 10,080, Southern Ijaw 7,116, and Yenagoa 6,332.
The commission urged eligible voters to take advantage of the exercise to collect their PVCs and prepare for the forthcoming elections.
