By Palma Ileye
The Salt Family Foundation, SFF, Ebonyi State chapter, has called on the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC, to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the forthcoming local government polls in the State.
In a press statement issued yesterday the foundation said the persistent lack of quality leadership at the grassroots level was largely due to the imposition of leaders rather than the emergence of democratically elected officials.
The group warned that it would formally petition the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to withhold the release of the voter register should it observe any irregularities in the election preparation process.
According to the foundation, credible elections remain essential for sustainable development in Ebonyi State, stressing that leaders elected through a transparent democratic process would be more accountable to the people.
“The development of Ebonyi State will be faster when leadership at both local government and state levels truly reflects the will of the people,” the statement noted, adding that elected officials must recognise citizens as the source of their mandate.
The foundation further disclosed that its members across the 171 electoral wards and 13 Local Government Areas in the State had volunteered to monitor the elections to ensure transparency. It warned that it would promptly raise alarms wherever electoral malpractice is detected.
SFF also advised political parties participating in the elections to adhere strictly to electoral rules, cautioning against vote rigging, political violence, ballot box snatching and intimidation of voters.
The organisation encouraged residents of Ebonyi State to come out en masse to exercise their civic responsibility without fear, urging voters to remain at polling units to safeguard their votes.
The foundation equally called on security agencies to maintain neutrality during the polls, emphasizing that their responsibility was to protect voters, maintain law and order and guarantee a peaceful electoral process.
It expressed optimism that professionalism by security personnel would strengthen public confidence in the electoral system.
The statement was jointly signed by the President of Salt Family Foundation, Comrade Eze Oko Splendour; Director General Affairs, Hon. Nwangele Nnanna; Director of Media, Comrade Igiri Innocent; and Director of Legal Affairs, Barrister Chibuike Ezennabike.
The group concluded by reaffirming its commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of Ebonyi residents and its support for credible democratic processes in the State.
