OKIES VEEKY/GODWIN AYOBAMI RACHAEL
Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has put machineries in place for a hitch free bye election into four vacant councillorship positions in four Local Government Areas of the State.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting with political parties, their leaders, party supporters, security agencies and the media, Chief (Barr.) Mike Ogbodu (Cp. Rtd), Chairman, Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) solicited the cooperation and support of all stakeholders to enable the Commission conduct a free, fair and credible bye election.
Chief (Barr.) Ogbodu disclosed that the bye election would be conducted for councillors to represent Ward 18 (Oyede 1), Isoko North Local Government Area, Ward 4(Abala) in Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Ward 11 in Sapele Local Government Area and Ward 17 (Okwabude) in Okpe Local Government Area.
According to Chief (Barr.) Ogbodu, “as we formally commence the pre-election activities today, I strongly believe that our various stakeholders, including the political parties, their leaders, supporters, the media, security agencies will cooperate with the Commission to conduct a free, fair and credible bye- election.’
The Chairman of the Commission added, “today marks another watershed in the history of the Commission as we prepare to conduct Bye-elections to fill four vacant Councillorship positions in four Local Government Areas in the State.”
On reasons for the Bye-elections, Chief (Barr.) Ogbodu has this to say, “the bye-election has become necessary following the demise of the Councillors representing Ward 18 (Oyede 1) in Isoko North Local Government Area, Ward 4 (Abala) in Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Ward 11 in Sapele Government Area and Ward 17 (Okwabude) in Okpe Local Government Area .’
He then unveiled the time table and schedule of activities and guidelines for the Bye-elections.
According to the time table, issuance of notice of Local Government Elections, Release of 2020 Local Government Bye-election Guidelines and Time Table was slated for Friday, March 6, 2020, Conduct of Party Primaries by political parties to take place on Monday, 9 to Thursday, 12, 2020, collection of Forms DSIEC 001 and DSIEC 002 by political parties on Friday, March 13 to Monday, March 16, 2020 among other activities that will come to a climax on Saturday, April 4, 2020, date of the elections.
Responding on behalf of the political parties, Mr. Afam Enemokwu, chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) who raised some issues on tax clearance and levies promised on behalf of members to cooperate with the Commission saying that they are looking forward to having a harmonious relationship with DSIEC.
The Time Table and Guidelines were later distributed to political parties representatiives.
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