ISIEC Releases Time Table For Imo LG Polls

Ahead of the scheduled September 21 Imo State local government elections, the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission ISIEC, on Wednesday, 19th June, released the election guidelines with the promise that the exercise would be peaceful, free, transparent and credible, as the commission enjoined other stakeholders to comply with the election’s guidelines and standards.

During a stakeholders’ meeting at the Rockview Hotels, Owerri, the commission also noted that arrangements are in top gear to put in place things needed to achieve the success of the election, including sensitization and mobilization of Imo people, recruitment of Ad-Hoc personnel and other workers, collaborations with security agencies to ensure peace and security during throughout the exercise as well as with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Addressing the gathering, ISIEC Chairman, Chief Charles Ejiogu, averred that the conduct of the elections was to fulfill the mandate of the commission in strengthening democratic governance at local government levels, and in addition deepen the participations of the rural dwellers in elections and politics at the grassroots. He said this, while thanking the Imo State government for creating an enabling environment for the commission to exercise its responsibilities.

“We are delighted to welcome all of you, our special guests to this event showing our determination to deepen democratic governance at the grassroots level in Imo State. ISIEC is charged with the task of conducting and supervising free, transparent and credible local government council elections in Imo State.

To this end, ISIEC has scheduled to conduct the much expected council elections into the 305 Registration Areas/Wards and in all the 4,758 polling units in the 27 LGAs of Imo State, come Saturday, 21st September, 2024. We are liaising with other democratic Institutions, such as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,” Chief Ejiogu’s address read, adding that the forthcoming elections would see the emergence of elected chairmen, deputies and councillors.

Flanked by ISIEC Commissioners, Chief Ejiogu, therefore, urged political parties and their aspiring members to strive towards embracing internal democracy, adding that the commission was poised to fulfill its obligations, including the supervisor of party primaries to ensure that the right things are done. He also solicited the cooperation of Imolites and stakeholders, including the media.

Those in attendance included Imo State Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma represented by CSP Dan Iroakazi, representatives of traditional institutions, political parties, aspirants, civil society groups, security agencies, town union executives, faith based associations, market and trade organizations as well as women and youths groups with all pledging commitments towards making the LGA election peaceful and successful.

At the event, the ISIEC Chairman, Chief Ejiogu presented the September 21 Imo State LGA Election Guidelines and Time Table to Chief Levi Eke, the Imo State Chairman of Intra Party Advisory Council (IPAC) for distribution to political parties in the state. Some of the principal contents in the timetable included: the commencement of campaigns, 24th June; conduct of party primaries,15th to 20th July and conclusion of campaigns, 20th September.