The leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC has commended the conduct of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC in its preparation for the forthcoming local government election in the state.
The IPAC Chairman in Ebonyi State, Comrade Nasir Ernest Nwaze made the commendation on Monday after meeting with his members alongside the State Commissioner for Inter-Party Affairs, Evangelist Philip Ogbonna Okorie and the Special Assistant to the State Governor on Inter-Party Affairs, Comrade Sunday Nwambam at Abakaliki.
Nwaze said after analyzing the activities of the EBSIEC by the IPAC following the schedule for the forthcoming local government election on July 20, the council members resolved to fully participate in the exercise.
The IPAC Chairman also commended the state governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru for having approved fund for the grassroots elections, and not interfering with the activities of the EBSIEC.
"We, first of all, analyzed the conduct of EBSIEC in preparation for the local government election in Ebonyi State. After the analysis, we concluded that we are satisfied with the processes followed for the preparation of the election by EBSIEC.
"We are also very happy because we heard of the money approved for the election by the governor, and he has also released the money for the exercise. That means he is living up to his promise. One is to let EBSIEC be independent, to conduct the election freely, fair and credible.
"We considered how EBSIEC has been piloting the activities marking the election, and it carries every political party along. We scored EBSIEC above 80 per cent, and with that, we say the state electoral umpire has been performing well.
"We are satisfied and that's why all political parties are participating in the election without a dissenting voice. All parties are going to participate fully in the exercise as EBSIEC and state government have provided an enabling environment," he said.
The State Commissioner for Inter-Party Affairs, Evangelist Philip Ogbonna Okorie urged all the candidates of the different political parties to be well conducted to ensure a rancour-free exercise, saying the administration of Governor Nwifuru would continue giving every party a level playing ground to carry out its legitimate activities in the state.
The Special Assistant to the state governor on Inter-Party Affairs,
Comrade Sunday Nwambam described
IPAC as a conference of all political parties disclosed that over 13 political parties have fully indicated interest in participating in the election.
Nwambam commended the IPAC leadership and members of the 17 registered political parties in Ebonyi for coexisting and embracing peace while carrying out their activities in the state.
"This coming local government election, the 13 political parties said that they are contesting and as a government, we can't stop any political parties from participating in the election, rather we provide a level playing field for them," the governor's aide said.
