By David Lawani
As part of efforts to give fairness to everyone which led to the suspension of the Kwande East and Kwande West Local Government council in Benue state Governorship and State Assembly election slated for March 18th and due to mixing up in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, materials, the Commission after meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC in the state and stakeholders have resolved to have the poll on 21st March 2023.
Barr. Festus Okoye National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee in a press release made available to journalists in Abuja said the reason for the earlier suspension was owing to the need for all parties to be given a sense of belonging and participation in the poll.
He said: ” The public may recall that the Governorship and State Assembly elections in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State scheduled for Saturday 18th March 2023 had to be suspended. This decision followed an inadvertent mix-up of some of the sensitive materials for the two State Assembly constituencies in the area i.e. Kwande East and Kwande West. For this reason, voters and stakeholders agreed that the elections should be rescheduled. Consequently, the Commission issued a statement that a new date will be announced for the elections.
“After further consultation with stakeholders, our Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu, has advised that the State office is ready to proceed with the rescheduled elections.
“Accordingly, the Commission approved that the elections shall hold tomorrow Tuesday 21st March 2023.
“The Commission appeals to voters in Kwande Local Government Area to troop out en masse and vote for the candidate of their choice. Similarly, we call on parties and candidates to conduct themselves peacefully”, he noted
