An advocacy group, Enugu Political Awareness Forum (EPAF) has faulted the uproar by those it described as “shadow chasers”, over the activities of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) towards the conduct of the November 4 Local Government Elections in the State, saying that they are satisfied with the preparation of the electoral body.
The group advised those who were accusing the state’s electoral body of bias to have a rethink and channel their energy in campaigning for their various political parties rather than ranting in the media.
It was recently reported in some national dailies, that some political parties participating in the forthcoming Local Government Elections in Enugu, whose candidates were disqualified by ENSIEC had protested, accusing the electoral body of bias, among others and threatened to take legal action.
A statement issued by the forum’s coordinator, Hon. Emmanuel Udeh, stated that the allegations were “false, baseless and misleading”.
Hon. Edeh maintained that the electoral body acted within the confines of her mandate, saying that those who were disqualified failed the requirements for qualification.
He disclosed that the records available in ENSIEC office, clearly indicated that some of the disqualified candidates could not provide evidence of their three-year tax clearance, some were absent on the verification day, adding that some others came for screening without originals of their credentials and could not provide them the next day, while some chairmanship candidates had no running mates, among others.
The forum said that it has taken cognizance of the fact that it was only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has dedicated itself to a sustained, coordinated and vigorous campaign across the 17 local government areas as well as in all the nooks and crannies of the state, canvassing for votes.
It alleged that those who were attempting to malign the integrity of the ENSIEC are not on ground and afraid of imminent defeat at the polls, and advised them to present evidence to prove that their candidates who were disqualified did not fail the screening.
The forum, maintained that the electoral body has men and women of proven integrity that are competent to deliver a credible election on November 4, urging the public to disregard the misleading publications.
