The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has lauded the non-political interference of Enugu State Government and political level playing field provided in the just-concluded local government polls in Enugu State.
The Chairman of IPAC Enugu State, Chief Obioma Nnamani, gave the commendation on Tuesday during a press conference on the Sept. 21, 2024 Enugu State Local Government Council Polls held in Enugu.
Nnamani said that from the report of PAC deployed observers across the 17 council areas to monitor the polls; “there was no known issue of electoral violence, as the exercise was peaceful.”
According to him, this is a very major win for our electoral process and we commend the leaders, stakeholders and security agencies for this.
He said: “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 downpours 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 substantial compliance with the provisions of the law in the conduct of the election by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC.”
The chairman, however, enjoined both the winners and losers to work together for the development and good governance of Enugu State.
He urged any party or candidate, who feels shortchanged in any way, “to seek redress according to the rule of law.”
“Whereas elections are a very critical ingredient of democracy, as if it 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.
“The increased consciousness will ensure that elected leaders, including those elected in the council polls, not only deliver democracy dividends to the people, but that they are also held accountable,” Nnamani, who is also the state Chairman of Booth Party, said.
