ABIA LGA ELECTION: ABSIEC Pegs Form At N500,000 For Chairman, N100,000 For Councillor

Ahead of the December 2020 scheduled Local Government Election in the state, the Chairman, Abia State Independent Electoral Commission Prof. Mkpà Agụ Mkpa and Commissioners held an expanded meeting with All registered Political Parties to fashion out modalities on how to conduct a successful election later this year.

The meeting held at the Commission's headquarters in Umuahia, had in attendance Leaders of all the Political Parties including the governing People's Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressive Congress (APC), the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA),Young Progressive Party (YPP), New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), ACCORD PARTY (AP), etc.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Commission Prof. Mkpa Agụ Mkpa reiterated the commitment of the Commission to conduct a credible, free and fair election, devoid of rancour, also solicited the support of all the Political Parties towards ensuring a hitch free election come December.

According to Prof. Mkpa: "as it is the duty of the commission, we want to intimate political parties of the changes we have made regarding the election. Prominent is the change in date of the election from Saturday 19th December to Friday 18th December 2020.

This is to ensure we accommodate all stakeholders including the religious groups in the state to ensure that everyone participates in the election.ÔÇØ

The chairman also urged the leaders of the different political parties to ensure that their candidates purchase the forms ahead of the election. The commission pegged the nomination forms at 500,000 for chairmen and 100,000 for Councilors each.

The Chairman urged all the Political Parties to adhere strictly to the electoral guidelines guiding political activities as this would ensure a smooth election.

In their responses, the leaders of the different Political Parties urged the Commission to conduct a successful poll that would truly be adjudged not just free and fair, but credible and acceptable by the people of the state.
The Chairman of APGA Rev. Augustine Ehiemere called on the Commission to consider a shift in date of the election due to the COVID19 pandemic as this would give the different Political Parties ample opportunity to prepare well for the election.