Ayade to conduct Local Government polls 5 days to his exit

Ben Ayade, Cross River State governor has concluded arrangements to conduct Local Government elections five days to his exit.
The Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), announced its readiness to conduct the second local government elections on May 24, 2023, being the second local government elections since Governor Ayade assumed office in 2015.

The chairman of CROSIEC, professor Mike Ushie, made the announcement in Calabar, while issuing notice of commencement of preparations for the 2023 Local Government election slated for May 24, 2023.

The commission said, “in compliance with the provision of section 28(1) of the 2022 electoral Act, (as amended), which allow for 360 days for the issuance of notice for the commencement conduct and conclusion of electoral activities for the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), hereby today Monday, May 30, issue notice of election for the 2023 local government elections in the state”.

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The commission added that, “This LGA election is going to be an improvement of what we did, in the last election, we did a good and commendable job, we will do our best; if I stand here and tell you that there will be no vote-buying, I will be lying, but we will be proactive to curtail it and make sure that the right thing is done. I don’t have the capacity to sit here and tell you that there will be no vote buying,” Ushie said.

According to the commission, ” all electoral activities commence today and will culminate on Wednesday 24 May 2023 is the date for the local government council elections in the state. ”

The local government council elections are said to come after the 2023 general elections. The May 24, 2023, LGA polls will be the second time Cross River will be having local government council elections since Governor Ayade assumed office in 2015.