A Political group under the aegis of InterParty Advisory Council(IPAC) has commended all the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) the security personnel and all stakeholders that participated in the conduct of the just concluded Enugu state Local Government councils’ elections, describing the process as violent -free, credible and peaceful.
Pix- IPAC Chairman, Obioma Nnamani
The group in a press conference held on Tuesday, 24Th September, 2024 in Enugu said the was on the whole, overwhelmingly transparent, free, fair, and credible. Importantly, there was a substantial compliance with the provisions of the law in the conduct of the election by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC.
The text reads in full:
In consonance with our objective to promote and stimulate peaceful, free, fair as well as credible and transparent elections in accordance with the law, IPAC deployed observers Across the 17 Local Government Areas to monitor the conduct of the 21st September 2024 Local Government Council Election in Enugu State.
IPAC’s preliminary report show that there was no known issue of electoral violence, as the exercise was peaceful. This is a very major win for our electoral process and we commend the leaders, stakeholders, and security agencies for this.
Pix- IPAC Chairman (R) Secretary,Ani( L)
We commend the high voter turnout during the election in most parts of the state.
However, we observed the late arrival of election materials in some areas of the state, partly due to early morning heavy downpour in parts of the state.
Although there were some reports by some of our members, of isolated cases of infractions, which veracity we are already investigating, the election was, on the whole, overwhelmingly transparent, free, fair, and credible. Importantly, there was a substantial compliance with the provisions of the law in the conduct of the election by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC.
We wish to commend the non-political interference in the exercise.
While we enjoin both the winners and losers to work together for the development and good governance of Enugu State, we equally urge any party or candidate, who feels shortchanged in any way, to seek redresses according to the rule of law.
Whereas elections are a very critical ingredient of democracy, as if provides the people the opportunity to exercise their fundamental rights of freely choosing their own leaders, elections are not end in themselves.
Therefore, we call on the civil society and political parties to raise the bar of political education and consciousness to ensure that elected leaders, including those elected in the Saturday council polls across the state, not only deliver democracy dividends to the people, but that they are also held accountable in doing so.
SIGNED
Hon. Obioma Nnamani
(Chairman)
Chief Dr. Afam Ani (Secretary)
Author: Maureen Ikpeama