Chairman, BSIEC, Bertola Perekeme

Tension has continued to mount in Bayelsa State ahead of the local government  elections billed for July 27, 2019 due to security concerns.

One of such concerns was expressed by the Chairman of Bayelsa State Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Bertola Perekeme at the weekend as he tendered his resignation.

According to a source in the Commission, the BSIEC boss, in a letter dated May 31, 2019 and addressed to the State Governor, Seriake Dickson, said his life was under threat.

The Commission Chairman, in his letter, cited “threats to his life and his immediate family” as reasons for his resignation.

The Chairman, however, thanked the Governor for giving him the opportunity to serve and hoped that his actions would not affect the conduct of the forthcoming Local Government Council Elections in the State scheduled for August 10, 2019.

Reacting to BSIEC Chairman’s resignation, the State Commissioner for Information, Daniel Iworiso-Markson stated that the Governor has accepted the resignation of the State Electoral Chairman.

He further stated that the Governor thanked Bertola for his service to the Commission by setting in motion plans for the conduct of the local council polls slated for August.

The Governor assured that the polls would go on as planned based on the agreement from other members of the Commission.

The wished the former SIEC Chairman success in his future endeavors and called on the people of the state to desist from subterranean moves by some individuals to disrupt the planned elections.

The Commission will be headed by the most senior ranked member in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Chairman.