The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) has urged residents to vote and protect their ballots peacefully. The commission also warned voters and other stakeholders against electoral violence and malpractice.
ENSIEC Executive Chairman, Prof. Christian Ngwu, gave the advice on Friday in Enugu. He spoke while supervising the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials ahead of Saturday’s Local Government Election.
ENSIEC Distributes Election Materials
Ngwu said ENSIEC had distributed election materials to the 17 Local Government Areas. The materials would then move to ward centres and polling units across the state.
He said the distribution showed that the commission was ready for the election. Ngwu added that ENSIEC had made arrangements for a peaceful, transparent and hitch-free exercise.
The commission had earlier said it was more than 90 per cent ready for the September 26 election. It also said it had been finalising preparations and training ahead of the poll.
Residents can also read about ENSIEC’s readiness for the September 26 election.
Polls to Open at 8am
The ENSIEC chairman said voting would begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. He said polling units were expected to close at 4:00 p.m.
Ngwu said the commission was not expecting delays at the time of his statement. He added that there were no plans to extend voting beyond 4:00 p.m.
He said ENSIEC had worked hard to prepare for the election. The chairman also expressed confidence that the exercise would proceed as planned.
The election will cover 17 chairmanship positions and 260 councillorship positions. The same figures have been reported by ENSIEC and other sources covering the September 26 poll.
For more details, see the latest update on the Enugu LG election.
Ngwu Urges Voters to Defend Their Votes Peacefully
Ngwu urged eligible voters to come out and exercise their civic rights. He said voters should cast their ballots without fear or favour.
The chairman said adequate security arrangements had been made for the election. He noted that the measures were intended to protect voters, election officials and election materials.
He also urged voters to defend their votes through peaceful and lawful means. Ngwu warned residents against actions that could lead to violence at polling centres.
This position follows earlier calls for peaceful participation from ENSIEC. The commission had also urged candidates and supporters to avoid provocative statements and personal attacks.
Read more about ENSIEC’s warning over the poster ban in Enugu.
ENSIEC Appeals for Calm at Polling Centres
The ENSIEC chairman called on all election stakeholders to remain calm. He urged candidates, supporters and voters to avoid provocative actions during voting.
Ngwu said the election process would only take a few hours. He therefore appealed to everyone to remain civil until the polls were concluded.
“Let’s be civil and within some hours the election will be over,” he said. His appeal comes as political parties complete their final preparations for Saturday’s election.
Earlier this week, seven political parties signed a peace accord ahead of the poll. The agreement commits participating parties, candidates and supporters to peaceful participation and respect for the electoral process.
Read about the seven parties that signed the Enugu LG election peace accord.
Seven Political Parties to Participate
Seven political parties are expected to participate in the September 26 election. They include the Nigeria Democratic Congress, BOOT Party and National Rescue Movement.
The Action Democratic Party, Action Peoples Party and All Progressives Grand Alliance are also participating. The All Progressives Congress is the seventh party listed among those taking part in the election.
The parties signed the peace accord at the ENSIEC headquarters in Enugu. They pledged to maintain peace before, during and after the election.
The accord also calls on political parties to respect opponents and security agencies. It further provides for peaceful and lawful resolution of electoral disputes.
Political campaigns have continued across the state ahead of the poll. For example, APC has campaigned in Enugu East ahead of the election.
Security Agencies Prepare for Election
Security agencies have also assured Enugu residents of safety during the election. The agencies said they had put measures in place to protect voters and election officials.
The security meeting included representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Department of State Services also attended.
Other agencies represented included the Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigeria Correctional Service. The Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service and fire services also participated.
The security agencies said they would respond to threats during the election. They also urged residents to comply with electoral rules and maintain peace.
Read more about security agencies’ preparations for the Enugu LG election.
Movement Restricted on Election Day
The Enugu State Government has also announced a temporary movement restriction for election day. The restriction will run from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The directive covers vehicular movement and other forms of transportation across the state. However, election officials, security personnel and other authorised essential workers are exempted.
The government said the measure was intended to support a peaceful and orderly election. Security agencies have been directed to enforce the restriction throughout the state.
Residents can read the full report on Enugu’s movement restriction for the September 26 election.
Voters Expected to Participate Peacefully
ENSIEC has encouraged eligible residents to participate in the election. Ngwu said voters should come out and cast their ballots without fear.
The commission is expected to conduct the poll across all 17 Local Government Areas. Voters will choose chairmen and councillors for their respective councils and wards.
The chairman urged residents to follow the commission’s guidelines. He also appealed to stakeholders to avoid actions that could disrupt the voting process.
The election comes after weeks of political campaigns and mobilisation across Enugu. Several parties and candidates have held rallies and grassroots meetings ahead of the poll.
For more grassroots political activity, see Nara residents’ support for APC candidates.
Election to Hold Across 260 Wards
The September 26 poll will cover 260 wards across Enugu State. ENSIEC is conducting the election for all 17 Local Government Areas.
The commission has continued its preparations ahead of voting. It has also been engaging political parties and other stakeholders on the conduct of the election.
Recent political activities have included ward-level mobilisation by different parties. Ugbakwa wards have also declared support for candidates ahead of the election.
The election will determine the next set of elected local government chairmen and councillors. Voters have therefore been urged to participate while respecting the rules guiding the exercise.
ENSIEC Calls for Violence-Free Election
Ngwu reiterated the need for a peaceful election. He urged voters, candidates, agents and supporters to avoid violence and provocative conduct.
The commission’s position is consistent with the peace accord signed by the participating parties. The accord requires political actors to support peaceful participation and respect the electoral process.
Political stakeholders have also continued to campaign across different parts of the state. Read about APC mobilisation in Ihuokpara, Isienu and Akpawfu wards.
Ngwu said the commission had done its part in preparing for the election. He urged residents to do their part by voting peacefully and respecting other participants.
Residents Urged to Follow Election Guidelines
The ENSIEC chairman appealed to residents to remain calm throughout election day. He said voters should protect their ballots without engaging in actions that could cause disorder.
The commission is expected to open polling at 8:00 a.m. and close voting at 4:00 p.m. Unless there is an official decision to the contrary, Ngwu said ENSIEC was not planning an extension.
Residents should also take note of the movement restriction announced by the state government. The directive is scheduled to remain in force from 6:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on election day.
For more on Enugu’s political developments, read the report on the Mmiri Oma campaign’s grassroots mobilisation.
The September 26 election will therefore take place amid security preparations and a peace agreement signed by seven political parties. ENSIEC has urged all participants to contribute to a peaceful voting process and avoid electoral violence.
Other developments around the state include the CSDA community sensitisation exercise in six Enugu communities.
Residents can also follow recent developments concerning Enugu’s economic plans as the state prepares for the local government polls.
