The Akwa Ibom governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has reconstituted the board of Akwa Ibom Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) ahead of the Nov. 11 local council election.
Inaugurating the seven-member board on Wednesday in Uyo, the governor said that the AKISIEC board was made up of people of proven integrity and experience in public service.
Emmanuel noted the AKISIEC chairman, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak, have had over 10 years of experience in the conduct of elections having been a Resident Electoral Commissioner in many states.
The governor urged members of the commission to take their assignment seriously as the state was planning to conduct local government council election this November.
“Much is expected from AKISIEC in respect of the forthcoming local government council election in the state,” Emmanuel said.
The governor promised to give the commission a free hand to do its assignment within the ambit of the law.
He called on the Akwa Ibom people to support the new AKISIEC to enable the reconstituted board conduct credible and free local government council election in the state.
The governor also advised the citizens to reduce the spate of litigations to allow for smooth and acceptable local government election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled the former AKISIEC board headed by Mrs Gloria Ukpong was dissolved in July this year following alleged disagreement among members.
Speaking with newsmen after inauguration, the AKISIEC chairman, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak promised that the new board would work in consonance with the law to deliver free and fair local council election.
Ikoiwak, who retired recently as Resident Electoral Commissioner from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), promised to develop his work plan for the local council election as soon as handover formalities are completed.
In a related development, the governor inaugurated a five-member board of the Akwa Ibom Law Reform Commission.
The Akwa Ibom Law Reform Commission is headed by a former speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Nse Ekanem.
The governor also reconstituted a six-member board of the Akwa Ibom Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission (EARCOM) charged with the responsibility of explaining government programmes to the masses.
(NAN)