By CHARLES IWUOHA

No fewer than 69,626 electorate, who have collected their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), will be voting in the Isi-Uzo State Constituency Bye-election in Enugu State come Saturday, October 31.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for Enugu State, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, told journalists on Tuesday in Enugu that the 69,626 eligible voters are scattered in 11 political wards within the constituency.

Ononamadu said that the constituency had 72,289 registered voters but only 69,626 voters have collected their PVCs and remained eligible to vote on the D-day.

``There will be voting in 118 polling units and seven voting points to produce the next State Assemblyman-elect for Isi-Uzo State Constituency.

“Out of the 18 registered political parties by INEC; only nine political parties met requirement for the bye-election and they are; AA, AAC, ADC, ADP, APC, APN, PDP, PRP and YPP.

“Among the nine political parties to participate, we have six male and three female candidates,” he said.

According to the REC, the election will start by 8:30 a.m. to allow 30 minutes time adjustment for the polling officials to set-up all apparatus to ensure compliance to the COVID-19 Protocol and end by 2:30 p.m.

“The bye-election will hold and nothing will stop it. We, INEC, wants all stakeholders especially the media to support in mobilise the people of the constituency to come out en mass to vote candidates of their choice.

“We are set for the election and we are assuring the good people of Enugu State and most in particular the people of Isi-Uzo of a hitch-free, fair and credible election that all will be proud of.

“We have already met with other stakeholders especially the security agencies that had assured us of their commitment and impartiality in ensuring adequate protection for all during and after the election,” he said.

The REC said that INEC during the bye-election would maintain strict compliance to Federal Government’s COVID-19 Protocol; adding that polling officials and voters must be checked with infra-red thermometers, wear face mask and keep required physical distance.

Ononamadu also said that the INEC in Enugu already have required stock of non-sensitive materials for the election and would be moving them soon.

“While the sensitive will come hours to the election from the commission’s headquarters,” he added.

•Enugu REC, Dr Emeka Ononamadu