Judex Okoro, Calabar
Cross River State Covid-19 Response Taskforce Chairman and Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu, has stated that the no-face -masks-no-voting policy would be implemented to the latter during the local government poll slated for Saturday, May 30, 2020.
Speaking during the visit to Abi Local government chapter of PDP to ascertain their preparedness for the election, Dr Beta said all the various safety measures will be adopted at various polling units during the voting.
She said: “All preventive measures and steps will be adopted at various polling unit to ensure that physical distancing, use of hand sanitizers and wearing of nose masks are adhered to before voting.
“We do not want crowd and no one should congregate. We have agreed with Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission, CROSIEC, on wearing of nose masks, two meters spacing for every eligible voters and use of alcohol-based sanitizers at every polling unit.
“I am using this opportunity to extend this message to Cross Riverians coming out to vote this weekend to get face masks which will be provided at some units to enhance them quickly carry out accreditation process and voting without any hassle. This is in line with INEC and CROSIEC protocols on conduct of the elections this period.
“We have already produced thousands of face masks and hand sanitizers to be distributed by CROSIEC for onward distribution alongside elections materials to electoral officers.
“The state ministry of health in collaboration with Cross River State Primary Healthcare Agency and our front line health workers have nominated health workers in all wards to mount each polling unit and ensure this protocols have been diligently observed,” she stated further.
The chairman enjoined security agents to work alongside with the health officials that will mount each polling units to ensure adherence.