Accreditation and voting have commenced in the Rivers State local government election at Ikoku area (units 14 and 15) Port Harcourt City.
The Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had earlier said that all was set for the election holding today.
The RSIEC Commissioner for Public Affairs and Civic Education, Tobin Tamunotonye, had earlier confirmed that sensitive materials have moved to various.
Meanwhile, the Rivers Political Elders and Leaders Forum has urged residents of the State to exercise their civil rights without fear during the local government council election.
A former Governor of the State, Chief Celestine Omehia, made the call when the group visited Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Port Harcourt.
Omehia said that the essence of the visit was to encourage the governor to remain steadfast towards ensuring a successful council poll.
Omehia said that the election is an exercise of the fundamental right of people, noting: “Every resident of the State has the right to vote and should express such right.”
He said that it is the responsibility of the State election body to organise the poll for people to choose their leaders at the grassroots.
“Those who do not want the election to hold are not interested in the welfare of Rivers people.
“As a group, we are interested in strengthening democratic principles, we want the State to grow in unity,” he said.
Omehia said that past leaders of the State would be delighted to see that the State enjoys peace, unity and development.