x

Enugu LG poll: ENSIEC rejects call for postponement of LG election

The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) has ruled out the postponement of the local government election slated for Feb. 29, in the state.

This is even as some opposition political parties have expressed concern over the readiness of the electoral umpire to conduct a credible poll.

The Administrative Secretary of the commission, Mr Tagbo Nnamah told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Enugu that shifting the election date was not an option.

Nnamah, who was responding to concerns by the stakeholders, said that the duty of ENSIEC was to ensure convenient arrangements for all political parties.

The administrative secretary said that everything that needed to be done to ensure a credible poll had been put in place by the commission.

He, however, said that if adjusting some of the items on the time table would serve justice to the political parties, ENSIEC would not hesitate to do that.

“I do not think that anybody that is willing to participate in the election will have any problem. Adjusting the date within which candidates are to submit their nomination forms will not be a problem.

“However, shifting the election date will not be possible,” Nnamah said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, Mr Ben Nwoye, said there was nothing to show that the commission was ready for the polls.

Nwoye said that barely one month to the election, ENSIEC had exhibited nothing but inefficiency as everything was shrouded in secrecy.

“The build up to the election is a mockery of the democratic process. They have not made any move to invite political parties for stakeholders meeting,” he said.

The APC chairman said that the commission released nomination forms for candidates of their party less than 30 hours to the deadline for the submission of the forms.

Nwoye, therefore, called for the extension of time within which to submit the nomination forms to ENSIEC as well as the postponement of the election.

However, the Chairman of African Peoples Alliance (APA), Mr Chukwunonso Ogbe, said that calling for the postponement of the election would amount to playing into the hands of ENSIEC and the state government.

Ogbe said that though from the facts on ground, the commission seemed not to be ready for the election, “our party will not be calling for postponement; else, you play into their hands.

“We are against the appointment of caretaker chairmen in the councils as is the case now. So, it will be an aberration for us to call for postponement of the election,” he said.

Ogbe said that ENSIEC should be held responsible in the event of its failure to conduct a credible election as slated.

“The commission only deemed it wise to initiate this process following the protest that greeted the unwillingness of the state government and ENSIEC to conduct the election within the time envisaged by law,” Ogbe said.

According to the time table released by the commission, campaigns are to start on Feb. 5. (NAN)

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Military Neutralizes Bandit, Arrests Gunrunner, Recovers Arms in Plateau

By Israel Adamu, Jos Troops of the 3 Division and...

MDCAN Backs NMA’s 21-Day Ultimatum to FG Over Controversial Circular

By Israel Adamu, Jos The Medical and Dental Consultants Association...

Falgore Pledges Stronger Legislative Commitment to Reducing Road Crashes

By Jabiru Hassan The Speaker of the Kano State House...

Kaduna Strengthens Community-Driven Response to Climate Shocks

...Unveils Engagement Framework at High-Level Dissemination Event By Achadu Gabriel,...

KDSG to Refund Buyers of Revoked Institutional Houses Starting Monday

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna The Kaduna State Government (KDSG) has...

Army Chief to Uba Sani: ‘You Have Made Kaduna Safer’

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna The Chief of Army Staff, Lt....

Mass Defection to APC: Ododo’s Performance Yielding Results in Kogi

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja In a significant political development, thousands...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img