Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC ), Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak, on Monday, announced that 12 political parties are to participate in the local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024.

Mr. Ikoiwak made the announcement at the commission’s headquarters in Uyo, while briefing journalists on the level of preparations the electoral body had made to conduct a free and credible exercise.

He said through robust interactions with all the political parties in the state, 12 of them had submitted names of their candidates and equally returned their nomination forms, an indication he noted came through owing to the commission’s determination and posture to provide a level playing ground for all the parties in the state.

According to the AKISIEC Chairman, “ we have been having smooth relationship with political parties. From our first interactions, we have had the 19 political parties with us. 12 of them have submitted names of their candidates and have also returned their nomination forms”.

On other accomplishments of the commission ahead of the elections, Mr. Ikoiwak told journalists that arrangements had been concluded for the deployment of 14, 0000 security personnel to all the 4, 353 polling units and 369 wards across the 31 local government areas of the state.

He said this was made possible through the commission’s Consultative Committee Meeting on Election Security, which has the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command and other security heads as lead members.

“ Apart from issuance of notice, we have had meetings with security – Consultative Committee on Election Security which has the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command and other heads of security agencies in the state”.

The AKISIEC Chairman also disclosed that over 17,000 forms had been received by the commission from people who had applied to work as the commission’s adhoc staff, but said AKISIEC would only engage between 12,000 and 13,000 after screening.

Mr. Ikoiwak therefore, expressed confidence that, with the level of the commission’s preparedness, support of the relevant stakeholders and release of funds by Governor Umo Eno, the forthcoming local government election would reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people.