ENSIEC 98% ready for Sept 21 Enugu local government elections

The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) has announced that it is 98% prepared for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for September 21. Prof. Christian Ngwu, the Chairman of ENSIEC, made this statement in Enugu on Thursday.

Ngwu confirmed that most arrangements for the elections are in place, with only the dispatch of sensitive materials and the deployment of electoral officers remaining. He stated that the 17 electoral officers will be dispatched, along with sensitive materials, to their respective council areas on Friday morning after a briefing.

“We have received all the sensitive materials, which are securely stored and will be distributed on Friday,” said Ngwu. He added that all necessary arrangements, including those for materials, electoral staff, security, and ad hoc personnel, have been finalized. The training for all levels of officers, including ad hoc staff, concluded on Wednesday.

Ngwu held meetings with electoral stakeholders, political party chairmen, and security agencies to prepare for the Enugu local government elections.

He highlighted that all political parties involved in the polls had signed a peace accord, and security arrangements had been completed, with support from the Commissioner of Police.

Ngwu assured the public that logistics are fully in place, including vehicles for the polls, which are fueled and ready, with drivers stationed. “ENSIEC is committed to conducting free, fair, and credible elections,” he said.

He encouraged the over two million eligible voters in Enugu State to come out in large numbers and vote for their preferred candidates. Ngwu also assured voters of their safety, emphasizing that adequate security personnel are on the ground to ensure a peaceful election process.

The commission has deployed 4,145 security personnel to cover the 4,145 polling units in the state, while 12,800 ad hoc staff have been recruited and trained for the election.

Ngwu concluded by promising a level playing field for all 17 political parties participating in the elections, stating that the commission would ensure that the popular candidates who reflect the people’s choice would win.