After the Court of Appeal nullified the initial elections in the affected polling units, INEC scheduled the re-run for February 3, 2024.
Elizabeth Agwu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state, conveyed assurance regarding the safety of registered voters during a media briefing at the commission's Awka office on Thursday.
Agwu encouraged the electorate to actively participate in the House of Representatives re-run election taking place across 21 polling units in the state on February 3, 2024.
She noted that security would not pose a challenge, emphasizing the deployment of both human and material resources, including security operatives, to the election areas.
Furthermore, Agwu guaranteed voters that their ballots would be meaningful, affirming that no one would face intimidation or disenfranchisement.
Agwu said, “The rerun election will take place in 16 polling units at Nanka in Orumba North Local Government Area to determine the winner of Orumba North and Orumba South federal constituency.
“Election will also be held and five polling units at Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area to determine the winner of Nnewi North and Nnewi South and Ekwusigo federal constituencies.
“The total number of registered voters at the affected polling units in Nnewi North are 97,438 while that of Orumba North is 161,914 voters.
“Do not be compromised. Vote for the best candidates that can represent you well. Do not say you won’t vote again because anyone is leading before. If you know the candidate you voted for before is still the same person you will vote for, come out to vote for him or her again.
“If you want to vote for another candidate, you are free to do so too. The election is going to be free, fair and credible. You will not be intimidated or molested by anyone. There will be enough security. Do not allow anyone to use you as a thug or scapegoat.”
She added that the commission has put measures in place to ensure there will be no room for manipulation, vote buying, or vote selling.
“The 2022 INEC electoral Act is against vote buying or manipulation and anyone caught will be prosecuted. All the candidates can still mobilise votes but political campaigns end two days before the election date.
