By Margaret John
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River has just released materials to media organizations and accredited journalists in the State in preparation for the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for Saturday, February 16, 2019.
The materials include reflective vests with caps, name tags as well as guidelines and are expected to serve as a means of identification.
Some organizations complained about the timing of the release of the materials.
The safety of journalists has always been an issue in electioneering. In the last general elections, staff of CrossRiverWatch and Channels Television were attacked in Cross River.
Meanwhile, CrossRiverWatch is billed to open its elections monitoring situation room tomorrow.
A team of CrossRiverWatch reporters have been dispatched to cover the 18 Local Governments areas of the state and will be giving real time update to the situation room in Calabar.
Efa Sunday will be monitoring situations from Abi LGA, Godfrey Obeten and Odey Ojeka will man Yakurr LGA. In Akamkpa, Asiya Ekpo is already on ground and David Nsa is set for Odukpani LGA.
In Calabar Municipality, Obia Aho, will hold forte, while our House of Assembly correspondent, Margaret John will be live from our newsroom and reporting from Calabar South LGA is Ilam Patricia and Kelvin Ololo.
Edima Frank is ready for Bakassi LGA, Obot Deborah and Philip Agba for Akpabuyo LGA while, Amos Bassey will also be reporting from Biase LGA
Ikom LGA which is very metropolitan too, will be reported by a very experienced hand, Godwin Otang and Ikwen Atuaka, will also be reporting from the Governor’s Obudu LGA while from Obubra LGA, Uchi Julius will also be giving live updates to the situation room.
In Etung LGA, Ojong Agbor is already on ground and veteran, Nandi Bette, is manning Boki LGA. The heart of the northern part of the state, Ogoja LGA is also assigned another experienced reporter, Kanjal Godshield, with Odey Thomas, in Yala LGA still superintendent by Kanjal Godshield and Obule Thomas in Obanliku LGA, while, Okiri Emmanuel stays in Bekwara LGA.
Our situation room number is 08129360039, call and give us your update on your polling unit.
From our situation room we will be broadcasting live from our facebook page.