The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on Saturday began distributing materials for the local government elections across the state.
By 9 a.m., party agents and ad hoc staff were seen at a registration centre in Elekahia, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, coordinating the movement of materials to polling units.
The polls, covering 23 LGAs, 319 wards, and more than 4,400 polling units, are being held following the Supreme Court’s annulment of the October 2024 elections, which were found to have violated the Electoral Act.
Saturday’s exercise is seen as a critical test for RSIEC’s ability to deliver credible polls, with stakeholders closely monitoring its logistics arrangements.
Analysts note that the elections could carry lasting political implications, as local councils play a key role in grassroots development and influence state-wide politics.
Observers say RSIEC’s handling of today’s vote will not only determine the credibility of the immediate outcome but also set the tone for future elections in Rivers State.
