SIR: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) owes explanations to the public for failure to send or assign officials to conduct a scheduled poll at Ihiala Local Government Area on November 6. If INEC could fail to assign officials to a whole LGA for a scheduled poll in one state, it suggests that the umpire under the present management cannot be trusted for a general election in 2023.
INEC Collation officer for Ihiala LGA had on Sunday announced that no election was held across all the wards in the LGA on account of non-availability of electoral officers and materials to the area. The commission claimed it was as a result of ‘security threats’ and consequently rescheduled the poll thereby making an election that would have produced a winner instantly inconclusive.
Even, by the failure to conduct the election on the same day as scheduled, the credibility of the election will be affected as people already know the outcome, and most likely, many may not even bother to go to vote on the rescheduled date which could affect the true bidding of the people.
Apparently, the schemers had plotted to use Ihiala LGA as playground for their evil plots against sacred wishes of Anambra people. For INEC to have failed to assign electoral officials and materials throughout the scheduled day of the poll to a whole local government area suggests either a lack of preparedness by INEC, or possible collusion between some INEC officials and some politicians to foist on the LGA, their evil agenda.
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Let it be noted that Anambra people will resist any attempt by any persons to impose or frustrate their legitimate mandate as their next governor. The ‘magic’ that transpired in Imo State in 2020 will not be allowed in Anambra state.
For now, there must be explanations on why and how a LGA that is not even within an island but across a federal highway and adjacent to Ozubulu, Nnewi where elections held freely, could have its poll postponed for reason of ‘security threat’. This is an election that held in one state out of the 36 states of the federation with over 40,000 security personnel on ground deployed from all security agencies. IThe commission must explain the nature of the threats and the towns in the LGA.
The failure to assign electoral officials and materials to the areas is an indictment on the umpire. No one needs to be told that many Anambra people that possibly returned from place of residence outside the state
In all, the umpire must ensure that the choice of the Anambra people is in no way thwarted or maneuvered by any means to avoid heightening the tension already ravaging the state.
- Carl Umegboro,
Ihiala, Anambra State.
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