Ahead of the re-run election for Enugu South Urban state constituency slated for 8th of June, 2024, the candidate of the Labour Party, Barr. Bright Ngene has called on the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to demonstrate their neutrality in the election by sending a fresh team to conduct the exercise.
Addressing the press on Sunday, Barr. Ngene said they don’t have confidence in the Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr.Chukwuemeka chukwu) and the Electoral Officer, Enugu South, Mr.Francis Chigbu to conduct the rerun election for the 3rd time.
It will be recalled that after the March 18th, 2023, House of Assembly Election, Labour Party scored 5,862 votes while PDP scored 2,098 votes. Consequently INEC declared LP winner, and I was inducted into the 8th Assembly of Enugu State with certificate of return issued to me by INEC.
However, the candidate of PDP went to court challenging the victory, and praying the court to declare the election inconclusive, and order for a re- run on the ground that there was violence in the eight polling unit situated at Ward 5 Uwani (Uwani Secondary School and Robinson Primary School) which the said polling units have 4,257 registered votes.
Nevertheless the court found favor of their argument that there is need to conduct a re-run election in the said 8 polling boots.
Ngene wondered why the leadership of INEC would allow the same team that couldn’t the scheduled 1st re-run election on the 3rd February 2024, will be allowed to conduct the third one.
“The first rerun could not hold because the original result sheet mysterious and suddenly got missing under the good watch of Dr. Chukwu and the E.O. Enugu South Mr. Chigbu and the duo could not give account of what happened to the said original result sheet till date. Up till today no account has been given by the duo or INEC on whatactually happened to the said original result sheet.”
“I therefore wish to use this medium to vehemently oppose to the intentionof INEC to allow or use the REC Enugu (Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu) and E. O. Enugu South (Mr. Francis Chigbu) to conduct this forth coming rerun election as there are serious likelihood that the missing of the original result sheet and other vital material in their custody. We have therefore lost confidence and trust in their integrity to conducta credible, free and fair election.”
He decried the lack of representation of his constituency in the last 9 months and called on the Media, local and international organisation to beam their light on the area the elections will hold to ensure that the will of the people isn’t truncated.
“We equally wish to let the world know that its now over 9 good monthsth at Enugu south urban constituency seat has remained vacant andunrepresented at the Enugu State House of the Assembly.
“I therefore passionately and humbly request the gentlemen of press (print and electronic), NGOs, Civil Society Organisations, Election monitors, European Unions, and Other International Organisations to be on ground to observe this 3rd time re run election to ensure that whatever result INEC will announce will reflect the true votes cast by the electorates in the said 8 polling units.”
