An accredited Delta State Independent Election Commission (DSIEC) election Civil society observation group, the Delta State Civic Engagement and Civil Society Volunteers (DSCECS), hailed DSIEC preparations for today’s Local Government Council Chairmanship and Councillorship elections.
The group stated that having observed DSIEC preparations for the elections which included their stakeholders engagement and training of election staff feels satisfied that DSIEC has shown preparedness to deliver on a free, fair and credible election for the good of Deltans, hoping they do not disappoint.
The group, also commended the Delta State Government led by Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori on the decision to conduct Local Government Council l elections as against what appears to be undemocratic practice by some States that have decided to run the Local Governments through Caretaker Committee.
In a statement signed by the Coordinator and Secretary of the group Mrs Oyovwe Osiwemu Ejiroghene and Comrade Ambrose Egbe, the group called on citizens to come out en masse to perform their civic duty. They praised the electorate for coming out in their numbers at Political rallies and campaigns, declaring that votes are in their hands.
They urged DSIEC to be an unbiased and impartial umpire and remain truly independent as expected of them. They admonished DSIEC to do what is right and be fair to all.
The called on security agencies to be impartial, maintain law and order and not to violate the human rights of citizens noting that they will be on the field to observe as the world is watching.
The group urged for greater Inclusivity of people with disabilities in election process, urging greater recognition and special place for them even as they observe to see how DSIEC performs on this.
Finally, they hailed the increasing maturity amongst political players and party as they have observed that the campaigns have been highly issue based and violence free, with fake news and hate speech at the bearest.
The group stated that at the end of elections, they would join with other observer groups to hold a Press Conference to independently appraise the conduct of the elections.