A group of 37 political parties in Enugu State, Monday, hailed the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC, over the conduct of the last Saturday’s local government election in the State.

The group, while addressing journalists, described the exercise as free, fair and credible and in line with international best practices.”

The position of the group was signed by chairmen of the 37 out of 40 registered political parties in the State.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, swept the entire 17 chairmanship and 258 councilorship positions. Elections did not hold in two wards: Eke and Obeagu, all in Udi Council Area.

A statement read by the Chairman of Social Democratic Party and leader of the group, Barr. John Nwobodo, said “From our firsthand observation of the election in every part of the State and the interim report, we adjudge the election free, fair and credible and confirm that it met the minimum requirements of international best practices.”

While noting that there were cases of non-arrival of election materials on time in some places, the group said, “the commission, however, took immediate steps to remedy the challenge it posed to the exercise of franchise by the electorates and extended the period of voting to 5pm to enable every eligible accredited voter to cast their votes.

“There were few skirmishes and isolated cases of attempts to hijack electoral materials, yet these incidents are too infinitesimal and not widespread or substantial to affect the outcome of the election.

“We commend the commission for its neutrality and impartiality throughout the period beginning with the issuance of notice of election on August 1, 2017.”

They further stated that, “Never in the history of Local Government elections in Enugu has there been a commission that leaves its doors open to the political parties. The Commission was accessible to the political parties and much more they were receptive to superior arguments.

“We acknowledge that the commission yielded to all the demands of political parties, including removal of payment of nomination fees by candidates, reversing the disqualification of candidates for non-payment of tax or presentation of tax clearance and on other grounds.

“Enugu State stands out as a reference point in Nigeria where parties have a level playing field to contest local government election without any form of encumbrances such as nomination fees, tax, and screening as opposed to what is obtained in other states of the federation.

“We want to place on record our gratitude to the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who gave all the needed support and funding to the commission to discharge its constitutional mandate without any interference whatsoever.”

They congratulated the winners as well as the losers, noting that “election is a process and structured in phases; we have passed the pre-election stage, the election stage proper and now we are at the post-election stage to complete the cycle.

“Aggrieved candidates should express their grievances in accordance with the electoral law of the State by approaching the local government election tribunal to ventilate their dissatisfaction if any.”