Ahead of the November 2nd,2024 Local Government Area Election, the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), has pledged to conduct a free,fair and credible election.
In an interface with Party stakeholders and Peace Accord meeting,held at the ABSIEC Secretariat, Umuahia, the commission expresses its determination to conduct a transparent exercise come Saturday, November 2nd,2024.
Delivering his welcome address, the Chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof George Chima, said the interactive session was designed to acquaint the relevant stakeholders of the activities of the ABSIEC and it’s preparedness as regards the Local Government election.
Prof Chima disclosed that the training of election workers had been concluded and the materials dispatched to the various Local Government Areas of the State, adding that the major essence for the meeting was to solicit support of all stakeholders in achieving a peaceful conduct of the election, stressing that their cooperation would not only be applauding, but lend credence to the fact that Abia State is God’s own state.
The ABSIEC chairman charged all political parties to play according to the rules, disclosing that their electoral officials would be thorough in their work.
He, however, reminded the political stakeholders of the signage of the Peace Accord,which will stand as an assurance of peaceful conduct from the various parties.
In his speech, the Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, said the Police is ready to collaborate with other Security Agents to provide a secured atmosphere, bringing about a hitch free election.
Responding, the Abia chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ogaraya Ifemeje, said the nation is long overdue for a change, and the change must begin from the grassroot, pledging that his party would respect the laid down principles of ABSIEC and vote accordingly.
Other party representatives, pledged their support to the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission to ensure a free and fair election. They appealed for all parties to be treated equally,not favouring a particular party over others.
The Leader of the Coalition of Civil Society Group, Mariam Samuel, after stating their observations, recommended that the government and the electoral management body should engage committed Civil Society Groups on intensive civic voter’s education,sensitization and mobilization ahead of every election.
She said Political parties should equally ensure wide presence of their party Agents in all the polling units for effective party representation during elections,while commending the Abia State government for not interfering in the election and for considering it necessary to conduct the Local Government election.
The group further applauded the security agents for providing a secured and peaceful environment ahead of the election.
Representing the Media, Chief Journalist Sam Obinna Ibe, said the media is ready to collaborate with the commission to give unbiased report of the electoral exercise across the various Local Government Areas of the State.
The Umuahia North Chairmanship Candidate under the Social Democratic Party(SDP), Hon Ezenwa Ugwejeh, appealed to the ABSIEC to be neutral in the polls, adding that they have spent huge amount of money in the electoral processes, as well as campaigns, remarking that the only gesture they desire from the commission is to make the process transparent, offering equal opportunities for candidates to be voted.
The Abia State Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Hon Uluocha Chimex, said the IPAC do not expect a carpet outing from the election, urging the ABSIEC to be at the top of their game, giving every candidate a level playing ground.
Hon Chimex added that the election must be free and fair for a winner to emerge.
Earlier, the Director of Administration ABSIEC, Rev Geoffrey Madugba, reaffirmed that the Commission would not only conduct a free and fair election,but it would be credible, urging all parties to play by the rules,as the Commission is poised to keep their own part of the bargain, assuaging the fears of the party stakeholders, candidates and voters.
Highpoint of the meeting, was the signing of the Peace Accord by representatives of the parties and security agents.
