They made the call on Tuesday 1st December 2020, when the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), held a stakeholders forum with leaders of political parties in Asaba.
Speaking at the forum, the DSIEC Chairman, Chief Mike Ogbodu stated that pre-election activities would commence immediately with party primaries holding from 7th December to 31st December, 2020.
He further announced that 34 new wards have been created in the state as part of the recent delineation exercise which brings the total number of DSIEC wards in the state to 500.
According to Chief Ogbodu, “The purpose of this meeting is to publicly make known, the date fixed by the Commission for the conduct of the 2021 local government council election”.
He stated that the meeting was also to issue election Guidelines and Timetable, as well as the schedule of activities for the conduct of the election.
“Going by this public notice, pre-election activities will commence immediately as we are poised to beefing up our preparedness capabilities by the day.
“We will further use this platform to urge our esteemed stakeholders including the various registered political parties in the State, their leaders and teeming supporters; the media, market women, NGOs and CSOs, security agencies and the electorate to give us the much needed support as we embark on the journey of delivering a free, fair, credible and generally accepted election come 6th March, 2021.”
He assured of transparency with the political parties and smooth working relationship with the state Inter-Party Advisory Council.
In their different responses, Chairmen of political parties in the state called for a free and fair election, urging DSIEC to provide a level playing ground for all candidates and parties.
Oke Idawane, State chairman, Social Democratic Party (SDP), tasked DSIEC to play by the rule and avoid the temptation of shifting the election date. He further called for peace amongst members of the political parties.
The state secretary, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Obi Nzete, also sued for peace and lauded DSIEC for being a credible umpire even as he asked the Commission to maintain same in forth coming election.
Chairman, Delta IPAC, Emeke Bidokwu urged DSEIC to always partner with them in order to reach the grassroots with needed information.
Present at the meeting which held at the Exco Hall of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Asaba, include; officials of DSEIC, representatives of security agencies, media organizations and other stakeholders.
The election has been fixed for March 6th 2021.
