From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ISIEC) is under fire as the main opposition political party in the State, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Commission of extorting candidates for the State Local government elections scheduled to hold tomorrow, Saturday September 21st.
The party alleged that the electoral umpire is collecting N50,000 from Councillorship candidates and N200,000 from Chairmanship candidates for what they described as validation purposes.
The party in a press statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Lancelot Obiaku, and made available to news men in Owerri including The Authority condemned ISIEC’s actions, stating that they violate the commission’s own guidelines and the Electoral Act
The party called on ISIEC to adhere to its guidelines and conduct a credible, free, and fair election.
The party also expressed shock that ISIEC has not published the list of voters in the wards as required by law, with only 48 hours left before the election.
However, ISIEC’ Chairman, Charles Ejiogu, told The Authority that the fees are for administrative process.
