|
Listen to article
|
Insecurity has reared its ugly head in Imo State, threatening to derail elections in three critical local government councils: Onuimo, Okigwe, and Orsu. The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has raised concerns which left the electoral fate of these areas precariously uncertain.
With the highly anticipated council elections just around the corner, slated to take place across all 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 305 electoral wards in Imo State, the latest announcement from the ISIEC has thrown a wrench into the works, leaving many to wonder if the democratic process will proceed as planned.
Read also: Uzodinma Moves To Pay Gratuities To Imo State Retirees
During a tense security briefing in Owerri on Thursday, Charles Ejiogu, the head of the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), revealed that the commission is grappling with the possibility of election disruptions in several areas, citing the unrelenting security challenges.
Ejiogu pulled back the curtain on the ISIEC’s biggest operational fear: the safety and security of its staff and election materials, which he warned is under grave threat, imperiling the commission’s ability to conduct free and fair elections.
Ejiogu highlighted a critical obstacle: electoral officers are struggling to access certain Local Government Areas (LGAs) to perform routine tasks like verifying polling units and collation centers, a essential step in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
