Local government polls: IMSG reiterates its readiness
Photo : Cross section of ISIEC Commissioners at the Occasion with Chief Charles Ejiogu, the Chairman in the middle
By Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Barely 6 years after conducting the last local government elections, Imo State Government has reiterated her willingness to conduct Local Government polls on Saturday 21st September, 2024.
This reassurance was given by Chief Charles Ejiogu, the Chairman, Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ISIEC) on Wednesday, in an address he presented during the organization’s well attended stakeholders meeting forum and release of the elections guideline/time table held at a prestigious hotel in Owerri.
Ejiogu who presided over the meeting with 6 Commissioners of the Commission as well as their top management staff,pointed out that the essence of the meeting is to show their determination in deepening democratic governance at the grassroots level in Imo State.
He also observed that 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 held similar elections in 1999, 2004, 2010, and 2018 respectively,
According to him, “Pursuant to its establishment Law No 14 of 2000 as amended, the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) is charged with the task of conducting and supervising a free, transparent, and credible Local Government Council elections in Imo State.
“To this end, ISIEC has scheduled to conduct the much expected council elections into the 305 INEC Registration Areas/Wards and in all the 4,758 INEC polling units in the 27 Local Government Area Councils of Imo State come Saturday 21 September, 2024” he informed.
The Chairman said it point blank, that the Commission is using the opportunity to assure all critical stakeholders of its preparedness to perform its constitutional
duty, insisting that the essence of the 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 elected Council Chairmen, their Deputies, and 305 Councilors, in line with the objective of the polls.
Ejiogu further disclosed that arrangements for the recruitment of Ad-Hoc personnel are in top gear and this will include field and internal Ad-Hoc personnel.
“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. 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 of town union s, Opinion Leaders, Women and Youth Groups, Market Associations, Trade Groups, Civil Society Organizations, Clergy, and Faith Based Organization, Political Leaders, are amongst those invited to this meeting”.
Ejiogu also informed that the Commission is liaising with other Democratic institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and that they are satisfied with their level of support so far, even as they look forward to more of such support.
He expressed happiness that the security agencies have also assured them of their readiness to render necessary assistance just as the voluntary agencies and vowed not to take their contributions for granted.
While appealing to the media for collaborative partnership in terms of objective and constructive criticism and reportage, he enjoined registered political parties in the state to commence political activities immediately, but to play according to the rules.
The chairman reassured of the commitments of his team to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process and practice.
Responding, Ichie Levi Eke, the Imo State Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC applauded the Commission for setting up machineries for the conduct of elections into the 27 council areas and 305 wards of the State.
Eke revealed that he has held series of meetings with the Electoral Chairman receiving the assurances for free, fair, credible and transparent elections.
Chibundu Uchegbu, representing Civil Society Organizations, CSO advised the Commission on the needs for security guarantee and improvement in the re-registration of voters to avoid disfranchizment.
The highlights of the occasion was handing over the elections time table and guidelines to the IPAC chairman for onward distribution to all the registered political parties in the State
