Emma Elekwa
Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) has pledged its preparedness to conduct free, fair and credible August 29 local government elections in the state.
Commissioner in charge of Information and Publicity, Chief Anthony Chinedu who gave the assurance in a chat with reporters in Awka said the Commission is getting all logistics ready for the exercise.
He further assured that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has no intention to influence nor manipulate the election.
According to him, the Commission so far, is arranging the non-sensitive materials and at the same time, booking up the sensitive materials for peaceful conduct of the elections.
“These materials will take sometimes to be accessed, we are assuring Ndi-Anambra that they will be ready on or before the end of this month or at worst by next month.
“Anambra elections had been always good. The only problem we have which we always cry out is that the level of voter apathy in Anambra state is growing higher every election period in the state.
“You see, people don’t understand what it means to go out and vote. Somebody will just say that he didn’t like what government is doing, for that he wouldn’t vote.
Staying away from voting
“I always tell people that it is wrong, when you refuse to go and vote, you are indirectly given your approval for wrong people to take over the government, it is as simple as that,” he added.
The Commissioner advised eligible voters in the state to exercise their franchise by voting for whoever they believe would give them what they want, instead of looking for who to blame for one reason or the other.
He further admonished the people to shun self-protest, saying that it will not produce any good outcome and urged the voters that it is their duty to go out and vote against anybody that was not properly positioned for the election.
“The Commission published timetables for the election sometime in September last year with open floor for all political parties in the state to participate.
“But accidentally, only two political parties fielded candidates, questioning the whereabouts of others.
“If you believe that you are a registered political party and you have the followers, why can’t you venture into the electoral process.
“Mr Governor had no intention whatsoever to influence nor manipulate the elections as alleged by the general public.
“The Governor will not be in any ward except his ward in Isuoffia community on the election day.
“I wonder how somebody in a ward in Ayamelum LGA for instance could come up to influence nor manipulate the Councillorship election in another local government area or distort an election conducted in the area. Such assumption is impossible.
Two-horse race
“The commission released election timetable and schedule of Activities for the 2026 LGA Elections last year September, and Only APGA and YPP, participated while others didn’t, till the time given for the primaries expired.
“Who is to be blamed? So, as it were, only APGA and YPP have candidates for the August 29th elections.
Chinedu, who doubles as Board Member of the Commission, implored Ndi-Anambra not to protest for any wrongdoing inside their house, but should come out on the election day and vote their choice.
“I assure you – Governor Soludo will not interfere in the conduct of this local government election in the state at all, whole and entire because it is purely party affairs.
‘As far as I am concerned, we are not envisaging any challenge because as I said earlier, the election is going to be free, fair and credible.
“Anybody that wins the election will be declared as the true winner by the Commission. If it is YPP fine, if it is APGA fine,” he concluded.
