Dr Emeka Ononamadu, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu State has said that all sensitive materials already distributed in the state would be retrieved.
The Rec said the materials would be returned to the custody of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch in the state.
Ononamadu said this at a news conference on Saturday evening in Enugu.
“We have been directed to return all the sensitive materials to the CBN, Enugu.
“And the process is already on as I am briefing you now under heavy armed security to ensure that integrity of the materials will be ensured.
“It will be in the protective custody of the CBN, under heavy security presence, until Wednesday when it will be escorted by the same security personnel back the council headquarters.
“While in the following day, beginning from Thursday, the sensitive materials will be moved to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) under heavy security as well,’’ he said.
He assured residents of Enugu State of the integrity of the electoral materials especially the sensitive materials – ballot papers, its accessories and result sheets.
The REC, who expressed regrets for the postponement and inconveniences it might have caused said the decision was taken to protect democracy.
“It is a painful decision but one that must be taken to ensure integrity, a free and fair process,’’ he said.
Ononamadu, however, noted that few lapses observed in the commission’s work in the state would be corrected before Saturday.
The REC also revealed that over 1.7 million Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) had been collected so far among the 1.9 million registered voters in the state.
“I will urge the residents of the state to keep faith with the commission as we are poised to organise credible, fair and free elections come Feb. 23,’’ he said.
(NAN)