The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) says there is no court order restricting it from conducting the Saturday’s local government council election in the state.
It said the election would hold as scheduled on Saturday.
Its Chairman, Ethelbert Ibebuchi, said this on Thursday at a media briefing on the forthcoming 2018 Local Government Council Election in Imo State.
Mr Ibebuchi said the council election would be for the positions of chairmen and councillors in the 27 local government areas and 645 ISIEC electoral wards in Imo.
He said the only case in court was that of the former council members seeking for the payment of their severance allowance from government and not on whether to conduct or not conduct election.
“We have not received any court order restraining ISIEC from conducting LGA election.
“Those in court are contending payment of things due to them and not that election should not hold,” Mr Ibebuchi said.
He said that the state electoral body was fully ready for election on Saturday, adding that the commission had taken measures as well as given all the parties a level playing ground to ensure credible election.
“In a bid to conduct these council elections and get it right, we at ISIEC realised the imperativeness of adopting holistic, pragmatic approach and methodology that cilminated in several visits and consultations with critical stakeholders in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria,” he said.
According to the Imo ISIEC boss, the 2018 local government council election in the state required over 8000 ad-hoc staff of varying academic standard, adding that examination was conducted for those staff.
Mr Ibebuchi said that 14 political parties would be fielding candidates in the election that would hold in the 3,523 polling units at 44 points.
He said there would be restriction of movement of persons between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. when polls would have ended as part of designs to ensure hitch-free exercise.
Mr Ibebuchi said an “inter security architecture” had been raised to maintain law, order and security of lives and property during the election.
He urged the electorate to come out enmass and exercise their civil responsibility in electing those that would serve them effectively and efficiently at the grassroots.
