The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, has described the ongoing bye-election in the state as peaceful and orderly.
Yomere made the assessment on Saturday during a monitoring visit to Wards 8 and 3 in Khana Constituency II.
The bye-election is being conducted to fill vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly for Ahoada East and Khana constituencies.
According to the REC, the exercise has so far recorded no incidents of violence, a development he described as reassuring.
While acknowledging reports of voter apathy in some areas, Yomere maintained that INEC had carried out extensive publicity and necessary preparations ahead of the poll.
He noted that the commission, alongside civil society organisations, undertook sensitisation efforts across local government areas to encourage participation.
“We took it upon ourselves to go from local council to local council, appealing to traditional rulers, politicians and civil society groups to mobilise voters,” he said.
Yomere also directed electoral officers to conclude voting by 2:30 p.m., in line with INEC guidelines.
The monitoring exercise was conducted in the company of INEC National Commissioner, Rhoda Habor Gumus, and other senior officials of the commission.
Meanwhile, party agents from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Action Alliance (AA) who spoke with journalists described the process as smooth and transparent.