Boco assured that the electoral umpire will provide a level playing field for all political parties in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
By Kingsley Agim
The Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) has said that the local government elections will be held before the end of December 2024.
The Chairman of the commission, Ekong Boco who made this known in his office in Calabar when he received the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council on a courtesy visit, informed that once the amended state electoral law receives the governor’s ascent, CROSIEC will commence activities for local government elections in the state.
Boco assured that the electoral umpire will provide a level playing field for all political parties in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
He sued for patience and calm from Cross Riverians, assuring that in no distant time, CROSIEC will roll out its timetable for the elections.
“In this State, we are looking at the law that has just been amended, once it gets the Governor’s ascent, we will certainly invite you (journalists) as well as political parties and address everybody accordingly.”
“The elections to me will certainly be in this year, we can’t allow December this year to pass,” he stated.
Describing the press as a critical stakeholder, the CROSIEC Chairman appealed for media support, while emphasizing the need for public awareness about what the Commission is doing ahead of the local government polls, and reassuring that the elections will be conducted in a free and transparent manner.
In her response, the chairman of the Cross River State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Archibong Bassey assured the CROSIEC leadership of her Union’s readiness and support throughout the elections and beyond.
Stressing the importance of partnership between the two bodies for the successful conduct of the forthcoming election, Bassey said: “We have a role to play in making sure you deliver on your mandate,” she stated.