Local government elections in Cross River State may not hold in 2017 due to unforeseen circumstances. DAILY POST reports that one of the reasons for not holding the election may not be unconnected with paucity of funds.
Besides the court injunction obtained by nine political parties restraining the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission, (CROSIEC) from conducting the elections, the commission is cash trapped.
The nine political parties had obtained injunction restraining CROSIEC from conducting the elections because of voter’s registration exercise. But CROSIEC herself has openly said that she would not conduct the elections because of lack of fund.
Receiving the Special Adviser to Governor Ayade on Students’ Affairs and Youths Mobilization, Michael Nku Abuo in his office, the Chairman of CROSIEC, Dr. Mike Ushie said that the Commission was prepared to conduct local government elections in the state but have delayed it due to financial constrains.
“Part of the reasons why the Commission has not conducted elections was because nine political parties have obtained court injunction restraining us from conducting the elections because of the then voter’s registration exercise. Commission was prepared to the elections in the state but have delayed it due to financial constrains,” he stated.
He denied the insinuation that the state government was not ready to conduct the elections, stating also that the commission was ever ready to conduct the election any time funds is made available to it to carry out the exercise.
Abuo, however, said that the essence of the visit was to ascertain the preparedness of the commission towards the conduct of the local government election.
He pledged his commitment to synergize with the Commission to ensure a peaceful, free and fair election. “We are ready to synergize with the commission to ensure a peaceful, free and fair election,” he added.
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