Abia LG polls: APGA frowns at N.5m charge for candidate forms
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has condemned, in its entirety, the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC)’s demand of N500, 000 and N200, 000 form fees from chairmanship and councillorship candidates in the forthcoming December 17 Local Government election in the state.
In a press release signed by APGA the state, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, the party also condemned the additional N15, 000 administrative fees to be paid by the candidates.
The party argued it was wrong for the ABSIEC to collect such huge amounts when possible candidates would have paid for their nomination forms to their respective political parties. APGA described the move as ‘bizarre, saying it “does not draw any exemplary precedent from its parent body, INEC.”
The party also frowned at the December 28 timing of the election, which it said, negates the sensitivity of Abians who are mostly Christians and attaches great religious importance to Christmas.
According to Ehiemere, “That during the formal briefing involving the political parties and the press organised by ABSIEC on the forthcoming Local Government election, APGA applauded ABSIEC for coming up with the idea of local government election, but frowned at the suddenness of the arrangements which might impede the effectiveness, the transparency and the participation of both the contestants and voters.
“That since voters registers to be used for the election are going to come from INEC as publicly admitted by ABSIEC, we feel it makes both legal and moral sense for ABSIEC to wait for INEC to update the voters’ registers before proceeding with the election.
“That ABSIEC’s decision to commence the election on the December 17 and hold possible run offs on December 28 negates the sensitivity of Abians, who are mostly adherents of the Christian faith that attach great religious importance to Christmas and would possibly be in their respective home towns to celebrate the Christmas during the time under review.
The party expressed its worries over ABSIEC’s statement that the results of the chairmanship election would be announced at the Local Government headquarters a day after the election, instead of the same day of the poll. APGA maintained that the move would create room for manipulation.
