Okechukwu Okechukwu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State has said it was ready to conduct elections across all communities and electoral wards in the State.
The State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, who disclosed this in Awka, Thursday, at a meeting with monarchs and presidents-General from Anambra South, said the materials were ready, with staff already trained for the poll.
"Election will hold in all Anambra South.
INEC as corporate existence of Nigeria is focused on credible election. Election is everyone concern. Whatever Nigeria is doing concerns us. We will conduct a credible poll, and votes must count.
" Anambra South must stand to assure us that election must hold. Anambra South must stand to secure selves. No one can secure your place better than you. We have prepared the materials and others for election. Just tell your subjects to secure their PVCs. We don't collect money to give PVCs. Our EOs don't collect money," she noted.
Some communities in Anambra South which comprised of Aguata, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ihiala, Orumba North, Orumba South and Ekwusigo had in the past, lost either property or relatives owing to attacks by gunmen.
Responding, the Traditional Rulers and Presidents-General across the seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Anambra State, assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of adequate security and other useful logistics for peaceful conduct of 2023 general elections.
The community leaders also disclosed that they had embarked on advocacy campaign with relevant stakeholders and sensitisations of the populace with a view to mobilise electorate to participate actively during the poll.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Anambra South chapter of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Chief Chika Moumaife, added that they would engage their natives by employing different tactics and strategies, as well as train and equip their local vigilantes to boost security throughout the exercise.
On his part, the Secretary, Anambra South Traditional Rulers Council and Traditional Ruler of Ezinifite, Aguata LGA, Igwe Chukwuma Orji, stressed that engagement meetings were already on to make the zone heaven for credible elections.
"Election must hold in all communities, wards and polling units in Anambra South. We are mobilising our people. We are sensitising and mobilising our subjects who participated on the recently concluded Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise to obtain their PVCs. This is our election. We will ensure that it records massive turnout and peaceful," he said.