The Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC) of Enugu State has praised the conduct of the local government council elections held on Saturday, describing the exercise as free, fair, credible, and peaceful while commending the impressive voter turnout.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the State Chairman, Obioma Nnamani, and State Secretary, Dr. Afam Ani, IPAC lauded the absence of political interference during the election and urged both winners and losers to collaborate for the progress of Enugu State.
The council, in line with its mission to promote peaceful and transparent elections, said it deployed observers across the 17 local government areas to monitor the September 21, 2024, election.
The statement also said that IPAC’s preliminary report sees the election as largely peaceful, with no incidents of violence reported, which it described as a significant achievement for the state’s electoral process. It also commended security agencies and stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring a smooth exercise.
IPAC acknowledged delays in the arrival of election materials in some areas, which it attributed to heavy rainfall earlier in the day. Despite this, the council noted that there was substantial adherence to legal provisions by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), while encouraging any aggrieved parties to seek redress through legal means. It also called for ongoing political education to empower citizens to hold their newly elected leaders accountable.
The statement reads “
IPAC Thumb-Up Enugu Council Election
The Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC) of Enugu State has thumbed up the conduct of the Local Government Council Elections held on Saturday, describing the exercise as free, fair, credible, and peaceful.
IPAC also lauded the impressive voter turnout.
In a preliminary statement released by State Chairman Obioma Nnamani and State Secretary Dr. Afam Ani in Enugu on Sunday, the council commended the lack of political interference during the election, urging both winners and losers to collaborate for the advancement of Enugu State.
“In line with our mission to promote peaceful, free, fair, and transparent elections in accordance with the law, IPAC deployed observers across the 17 local government areas to monitor the conduct of the September 21, 2024 local government election in Enugu State.
“IPAC’s preliminary report indicates no incidents of electoral violence; the exercise was remarkably peaceful. This is a significant achievement for our electoral process, and we commend the leaders, stakeholders, and security agencies for their efforts.
“Crucially, there was substantial adherence to legal provisions by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) during the elections.
“However, IPAC did observe delays in the arrival of election materials in certain areas, attributed in part to heavy rain in the early morning hours.
“Additionally, some isolated infractions have been reported by our observers, which we are currently investigating.
“Nonetheless, the overall exercise was overwhelmingly transparent, free, fair, and credible.
“We encourage both winners and losers to work together for the development and good governance of Enugu State while urging any party or candidate who feels aggrieved to seek resolutions through the rule of law,” the statement noted.
IPAC also called for ongoing political education to empower citizens to hold their newly elected leaders accountable.
“While elections are a vital component of democracy, providing the public with the opportunity to exercise their fundamental right to choose their leaders, they are not an end in themselves.
“Thus, we urge civil society and political parties to enhance political education and awareness to ensure that elected leaders, including those from Saturday’s council elections, deliver on the promises of democracy and are held accountable in doing so,” IPAC concluded.
