By Matthew Don
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state has sworn-in a new Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC), Ball Oyarede.
Dickson did on Tuesday at the Government House where he charged him to carry out his responsibilities with firmness and integrity.
He told Oyarede to ensure that the success and high standard of the commission was maintained through the conduct of credible, free and fair elections.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei quoted Dickson as extolling the leadership qualities of Oyarede and that the Bayelsa State Electoral body is now complete and stronger to deliver in its duties to the state.
Dickson lauded the former acting Chairman, Remember Ogbe, and members of the Commission, for conducting free, fair and credible Local Government polls in the state.
Reiterating that the commission had been able to set a standard that should be emulated by other electoral bodies in the country, Dickson charged the new BYSIEC to work together as a team so that the set objectives of the commission could be achieved.
He promised to provide the necessary support and equipment to the commission to enable it to carry out its sensitive responsibilities.
Dickson said: “I will not like this opportunity to pass by to congratulate and appreciate the acting chairman and the honourable members of the electoral commission who have just conducted one of the freest, fairest and the most peaceful local elections in any state in this country and they deserve special appreciation.
“What you have done will be a model that future electoral commissions in this state and other states, I believe, will look forward to emulating.
“I do not doubt that with the experience that our new chairman also have, your team in SIEC is now complete and stronger even to deliver for the future”.
Oyarede told newsmen the commission in his care was prepared to discharge its duties in a neutral and unbiased manner.