No Going Back On Jan 2015 LGA Election In Imo --ISIEC

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.
--Trumpeta