Abia LG Election Date Shifted, Cost Of Nomination Forms Announced

The Chairman, Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC, Professor Mkpa Agu Mkpa, Commissioners as well as chairmen of registered political parties have met to fashion out modalities on how to conduct a successful local government election.

In his remarks during the meeting with leaders of the registered political parties, the ABSIEC Chairman reiterated the commitment of the Commission to conduct a credible, free and fair election, devoid of rancour.

Mkpa, who was an ex-Secretary to the State Government, SSG, under former Governor, Theodore Orji, solicited the support of all the political parties towards ensuring a hitch-free exercise come December.

“As it is the duty of the commission, we want to intimate political parties of the changes we have made regarding the election. Prominent is the change in date of the election from Saturday, 19th December to Friday 18th December, 2020. This is to ensure we accommodate all stakeholders including religious groups in the state to ensure that everyone participates in the election.”

Abia State Independent Electoral Commission ABSIEC had in a press release, announced December 19, 2020 for the conduct of the LG poll.

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Mkpa urged the leaders of the different political parties to ensure that their candidates purchase their forms ahead of the election.

The ABSIEC boss urged interested political parties to adhere strictly to the electoral guidelines as such would ensure a smooth election.

The commission pegged the nomination forms at ₦500,000 for chairmen and ₦100,000 for Councilors each.

In their respective speeches, the leaders of the different political parties, urged the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC, to conduct a successful poll that would truly be adjudged not just free and fair, but credible and acceptable by the people of the state.

Augustine Ehiemere, the Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia State, in his submission, called on the electoral umpire to consider a shift in date of the election due to the COVID-19 pandemic as this would give the different political parties ample opportunity to prepare well for the local government poll.

Source