Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has appointed Dr Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Rivers State.
He replaces the outgoing REC, Obong Efanga who has been posted to Edo State.
Professor Yakubu made the announcement at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja while swearing in 19 RECs.
Yakubu said Sinikiem was among 4 RECs who were redeployed from their previous states, noting that the Rivers REC was moved from Cross River State.
The INEC Chairman said the news RECs would be responsible for the commission’s human and material resources while working with the staff in line with the provisions of the law and the electoral body’s Regulations and Guidelines.
In the meantime, the INEC Chairman has warned RECs against visiting State Government Houses or holding unofficial meetings with politicians after official working hours.
In his remarks while swearing the 19 RECs, Professor Yakubu cautioned that all matters pertaining to official responsibilities should be conducted in the office and attended by the relevant staff with proper documentation.
He also charged the Commissioners to consult stakeholders, while maintaining neutrality in dealing with the public following the provisions of the commission’s Code of Conduct which he noted was their best protection against mischief.
He also emphasised that the only means of voter accreditation during the 2023 General Election would be the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) while results will be uploaded real-time to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) on Election Day as provided by law.
Sinikiem hails from Bayelsa State and was a former member of the State House of Assembly.
