Rivers: Lawmakers approve re-enactment of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission law, 2018 Budget, Others

The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the re-enactment of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission law.

Under this new law, Individuals who do not belong to a political party cannot contest for local government election in Rivers state.

Also, the death of a candidate in a local government election in Rivers state can only be accepted if announced by a certified Medical Doctor.

The Rivers State House of Assembly after an exhaustive deliberation repealed the RSIEC Law Number two of 2007 which they say had numerous ambiguities.

The Speaker said that the new law would henceforth guide the establishment functions of the state’s Independent Electoral Commission and matters related to local government councils in the state.

The Rivers 2018 Appropriation Bill of N510 billion after due debate and consideration by members of the House, was widely supported and passed the budget.

According to the Speaker, the Clerk of the House would forward a copy to the governor, Nyesom Wike, for endorsement and implementation.

The bill to upgrade and empower the Kenule Bee-Son Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic to a Federal Government Polytechnic standard, also scaled through third reading.