By okey alozie
Imo State Independent Electoral Commission Boss Barrister Amaechi Nwoha has declared that the local government election in Imo must take place on 31st Jan. 2015.
He made this known in a meeting with representatives of all the political parties held yesterday at the ISIEC office along Orlu road Owerri.
While at the meeting, the ISIEC chairman and former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, RT Hon Amaechi Nwoha said that there is no court impediment or order restricting the council polls. He explained that various political parties in the state have been meeting with ISIEC officials on the issue.
According to him, the council polls was rescheduled based on appeal made by the political parties. He said the parties before now claimed that they were not prepared for the election when it was initially announced.
The ISIEC Boss insisted that to fulfill the demand of the people and that of the law, election must be held in the state to usher in Council Executives. He announced that the time tables for the election have been sent out adding that all the political parties should submit their flag bearers and constitutions including party leaders on or before the 28th of November, 2014 to avoid sanction.
He also assured them that there will be a level playing ground during the election, adding that the only way to avoid rigging is for parties to present credible candidates.
Barrister Nwoha insisted that all the ISIEC rules and regulations must be observed.
He narrated that on the 10th of November 2014 ISIEC wrote to INEC to furnish it with the list of registered political parties and their officials
He added that the government has given him go ahead order to conduct the election.
In reactions, the opposition parties condemned the attitude of the ISIEC Boss by taking them unaware for LGA polls.
They also pleaded that the date should be shifted to enable them create more awareness to their members.
Barrister C Osuji Deputy Chairman of the political parties and leader of Labour Party Imo State Chapter in his speech condemned in strong term the idea of fixing election date without consulting the political parties involved. He argued that ISIEC should have come in agreement with parties involved before taken any decision.
Hon Prince Ugochukwu Nzekwe, state Deputy chairman of APC Imo State wing said in his own reaction that ISIEC has the sole power to conduct the election without having series of meetings with parties “it can only inform the parties on the guidelines, date and nothing more”, he said.
Meanwhile, the PDP had said that the election is illegal since the matter is still in court
