The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has assured residents of Imo State of a free, fair, and peaceful exercise in the forthcoming local government elections slated for September 21 across the state’s 27 Local Government Areas.
Charles Ejiogu, Chairman of the Commission, provided this assurance during a stakeholders’ meeting focused on achieving a credible election.
Ejiogu noted that the forthcoming poll will mark the fifth local government election since the re-enthronement of democratic governance in 1999, with previous elections held in 1999, 2004, 2010, and 2018.
Highlighting the importance of the exercise, Ejiogu emphasized that the third tier of government is crucial for even development in rural areas and essential for deepening democratic elements at the grassroots level.
He explained that following the law establishing the Commission in 2000, as amended in Law No. 14, ISIEC is empowered to conduct and supervise free, transparent, and credible local government council elections in the state.
“To this end, ISIEC has scheduled to conduct the much-expected council elections in the 305 Registration Areas/Wards and all 4,758 polling units in the 27 Local Government Area Councils of Imo State on Saturday, September 21, 2024,” he announced.
“The Commission is taking this opportunity to assure all critical stakeholders of its preparedness to perform its constitutional duty.”
Ejiogu also revealed that the Commission is set to release election guidelines and a timetable, marking the beginning of the process that will lead to the election of 27 democratically elected Council Chairmen, their Deputies, and 305 Councilors.
He added that arrangements for the recruitment of ad-hoc personnel are progressing, including both field and internal staff.
Addressing security concerns, Ejiogu stated that the Commission is coordinating with heads of security agencies to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
He stressed the importance of adequate logistics and ground power for the successful conduct of the council polls.
The ISIEC Chairman also emphasized the Commission’s ongoing sensitization and mobilization efforts with critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers, presidents general, political leaders, and other relevant bodies.
“We are also 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 any of them for granted,” he stated.
Ejiogu highlighted the importance of the media in the forthcoming exercise, describing them as sacrosanct stakeholders and strategic partners in progress.
He also commended the governor for creating the opportunity for the exercise, assuring that he would deliver on the task given to him.
Attendees at the meeting included heads of security agencies, sole administrators of the 27 LGAs, political leaders, traditional rulers, presidents general, civil society organizations, market women, youth groups, and religious leaders.
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