The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) will not participate in the forthcoming bye-elections for two seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The bye-elections are scheduled for February 21 in Khana State Constituency II and Ahoada East State Constituency II.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gabriel Yomere, disclosed that five candidates will contest in Khana Constituency II, while seven candidates will vie for the Ahoada East seat.

According to INEC, the political parties cleared to field candidates are AA, APC, APM, BP, NNPP, YPP and ZLP.

The Commission explained that the PDP failed to conduct a valid primary election and therefore did not produce a candidate. The ADC was excluded for its inability to successfully upload its candidate’s details to the INEC nomination portal before the stipulated deadline. The Labour Party, Yomere added, is currently involved in litigation over its candidacy process, rendering it ineligible to participate.

Yomere said all Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines have been fully configured and are ready for deployment, while the training and screening of election personnel are ongoing.

To further strengthen the credibility of the process, he noted that all Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) for the bye-elections will be drawn from INEC’s core staff, given that the exercise covers only two local government areas. Other ad hoc personnel, including Assistant Presiding Officers, will be sourced from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The REC also disclosed that non-sensitive materials have already been distributed to the affected local government areas, while sensitive materials will be delivered to the Registration Area Centres on election morning under tight security.

INEC further revealed that potential flashpoints have been identified, with security agencies adequately briefed to ensure sufficient deployment to prevent violence and maintain order.

The Commission reassured voters and stakeholders of its commitment to delivering a free, fair and credible bye-election in both constituencies.