By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has expressed readiness to conduct the 2024 Local Government Areas election in the State.
They have further revealed that the exercise will take place on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
This was disclosed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, by the ISIEC Chairman, Chief Charles Ejiogu, in a Stakeholders meeting in Owerri, for the Flag-off of the activities to take place on or before the exercise.
Flagging off the LG campaigns, Ejiogu charged political parties and their flagbearers among others to play by the books so as to corroborate the Commission’s “determination to deepen democratic governance at the grassroots level in Imo State”.
He stated, “It has to be on record that following Nigeria’s return to constitutional governance in 1999, the forthcoming Local Government Council Elections into the offices of Council Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councilors, will be the fifth having had elections in 1999, 2004, 2010, and 2018 respectively at the third tier.
“By virtue of the powers conferred on me, as the Chief Electoral Officer of Imo State, and for the purposes of contestants participating actively in forthcoming council polls, I hereby declare that all the registered political parties can now start to politick.
“The registered political parties are hereby enjoined to play according to the rules, even as the Commission appeals to them to constructively engage their aspirants candidates by observing to the utmost, the doctrine/principle of internal democracy. The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission will not shirk its mandated duty of observing the primaries as duly stipulated in Electoral Act as amended.
“The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) wishes to ensure all the registered political parties, their candidates and the general public of a level plaving field for all contestants, while Seeking the understanding and cooperation of Imolities who have been looking forward to the emergence of elected grassroots leadership”
Chief Ejiogu further stressed the readiness of the commission’s management and staff to conduct and supervise a free, transparent, and credible local government council polls in the state come September 21, 2024 in “Pursuant to its establishment Law No 14 of 2000 as amended”
“To this end, ISIEC has scheduled to conduct the much expected Council elections into the 305 Registration Areas/Wards and in all the 4,758 polling units in the 27 Local Government Area Councils of Imo State, come Saturday 21 September, 2024.
“Therefore, the Commission is taking this opportunity to assure all critical stakeholders of its preparedness to perform its constitutional duty. Today’s stakeholders meeting is to release Election Guidelines and Time Table as part of the activities that will ultimately usher in the emergence of 27 democratically Council Chairmen, their Deputies, and 305 Councilors, in line with our announcement of 24th May, 2024, the ISIEC Boss reiterated.
He equally noted that “Arrangements for the recruitment of Ad-Hoc personnel are in top gear and this will include field and internal Ad-Hoc personnel”, adding that “the Commission is not oblivious of the imperatives of putting in place water-tight security architecture and will stop at nothing in doing just that”
The Imo Electoral Umpire Boss said the Commission has ensured a process that engages and gives every stakeholder a sense of belonging so to allow the parties and candidates enjoy a level playing ground before, during and after the exercise.
“Adequate logistics and ground power will be mounted as it is key to the successful conduct of the forthcoming Council polls. The Commission’s on-going sensitization and mobilization efforts with critical stakeholders is on Course as Traditional Rulers, Presidents General, Opinion Leaders, Women and Youth Groups, Market Associations, Trade Groups, Civil Society Organizations, Clergy, and Faith Based Organization, Political Leaders, are amongst those invited for this meeting.
“We are liaising with other democratic institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and we are satisfied with their level of support so far, even as we look forward to more of such support. The security agencies have also assured us of their readiness to render necessary assistance. The voluntary agencies are not left out in this regard and we cannot take anyone of them for granted”
Ejiogu however acknowledged the important role of the media as he urged press men to offer their quota in the process to ensure all right information are put out and as well fight against fake news.
“As an established strategic partner in progress, the fourth estate or the realm (Media) deserves our special recognition as they have Continued to lend measurable empathy and support through their balanced reportage so far, We hereby appeal to the Media to remain our veritable partner as we move forward with our commitment to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process.
“Therefore, it stands to reason that today’s epochal event is designed to energize the activities already started for the forthcoming Imo State Local Government Council Elections 2024. It is also an incontrovertible demonstration of our resolve and degree of commitment to institute a sustainable grassroots participation in politics and elections.
“On behalf of the Commission, I humbly and dutifully take this chance to appeal to both conventional and unconventional media practitioners to shun unwholesome and sensational reportage that could snowball into fanning the amber of discord and stoking the fire of acrimony. The Commission is accessible to the media at all times to verify and cross check facts before going to the press, ‘ Ejiogu advised.
He further assured of the election being peaceful, transparent, and credible.
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