Magnus Aluma
The candidate of the Democratic Leadership Party, DLA, for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Godwin Aliuna, has called on the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC, and security agencies in the state to ensure that Saturday’s Council elections in the state are free, fair and credible.
The call was contained in a statement he issued on Thursday and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The statement reads: “I urge our electoral umpire, the Ebonyi State Independent Election (EBSIEC), to uphold the principles of transparency, impartiality and credibility throughout the electoral process.
“This is because the integrity of the election would depend largely on the commission’s commitment to giving a level-playing ground to all candidates and their political parties.
“I also appeal to security agencies deployed for the election to remain professional, neutral and committed to protecting voters, electoral officials and other stakeholders before, during and after the exercise.
“The people of Ebonyi State deserve an electoral process in which their votes are respected and their choices freely expressed without intimidation, manipulation or undue interference.”
He noted that the presence and conduct of security personnel at polling units would promote confidence among voters and ensure that every eligible citizen is allowed to exercise exercise his or her franchise without
fear.
He further appealed to stakeholders of various political parties, candidates, and their supporters,
to conduct themselves peacefully and play by the game on the election day.
Aliuna noted that credible local government elections would not only deepen democratic participation at the grassroots but also contribute to effective governance and accountability across the 13 local government areas of the state.
The House of Reps hopeful thanked the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, for putting in place logistics, necessary for a successful conduct of the election.
He lauded the efforts of the governor in restoring peace and order across the state.
He added that Nwifuru’s commitment to a peaceful political environment could help to strengthen public confidence in the council election in the state.
The DLA candidate further appealed to Governor Nwifuru to continue to monitor the electoral process and advised the EBSIEC to ensure transparency in the conduct of the polls.
Aliuna noted that credible local government elections would, not only deepen democratic participation at the grassroots, but also contribute to effective governance and accountability across the state’s 13 local government areas.
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