The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC, has insisted that it does not have any political party or candidate as its favourite. This is even as the State’s Local Government election is scheduled to hold on September 28.
Recall that some major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, have threatened to boycott the LG election.
They have given as reason the “massive irregularities and non-adherence to due process” as enshrined in the Electoral Law 2022.
The APC, PDP and LP had, at different interactions with the media, alleged that ANSIEC is working to favour the candidates of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. Therefore, they have described the forthcoming LG elections as a “sham”. And have also called for it’s postponement.
Reacting to the allegations, the Chairman of ANSIEC, Genevieve Osakwe, debunked the propaganda. She asked Ndi-Anambra to disregard the statements by the opposition parties.
He stated this during the last day of the Commission’s sensitization tour to some LGAs in the State on Monday. The LGAs visited are Awka North and South, Dunukofia, Anaocha and Njikoka LGAs.
Osakwe urged Ndi Anambra not to fall for “cheap propaganda” peddled by the opposition regarding the Local Government election.
According to reports, the tour was attended by a cross-section of stakeholders from the Local Government Areas of the State. They were drawn from political parties, party candidates, religious leaders, representatives of town unions and traditional institutions.
Addressing the stakeholders, Osakwe said, “The essence of the tour is to interact, educate and cascade the Commission’s plan for free, fair and credible polls in two weeks to the grassroots using community and opinion leaders. We believe this will help the Commission achieve success. As the electorate will, themselves, play the leading role as major stakeholders in the electoral process.
“Ignore the rumour making the rounds that the Commission has endorsed some candidates and political parties ahead of the election. It is cheap propaganda, which is targeted at discouraging the electorate from speaking through their votes and insisting on quality representation.
“ANSIEC under is determined to deliver the freest, fairest and most credible Local Government elections ever witnessed in the country.”
Responding, the participants commended the Commission for bringing them up to speed through the Local Government sensitization tour.
One of the stakeholders and President General of Awba-Ofemili, Fidelis Chukwunedu, thanked the commission. He praised ANSIEC for being dogged in ensuring that the various Communities in the 21 Local Government Areas of the State are being carried along.
Chukwnedu assured that they will sensitize the electorate in their Communities to ensure full participation.
In a related development, the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has stated the sacredness of the LG election.
The Governor, therefore, urged Ndị-Anambra to participate in the election. He assured them that movement would be restricted on the election day.
Soludo made this remark during an interactive meeting with APGA candidates at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Center in Awka.
source: PUNCH
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