ENSIEC partners DSS to ensure free, fair LG polls in Enugu

From Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu

The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC, has vowed to collaborate with the state security services, SSS, to ensure free, fair and credible local government elections in the state.

The Nations News Nigeriareports that ENSIEC will soon conduct elections in the 17 local government areas of Enugu state.

The Chairman of ENSIEC, Prof. Chris Chidubem Ngwu made this known during a courtesy visit to the State Security Service (DSS) Enugu State Command.

Ngwu noted that the courtesy visit is also an opportunity for the electoral body to brief the security agency on its preparations and plans for the local government polls.

He emphasized the importance of synergy between ENSIEC and the security services to ensure a peaceful, credible, free, and fair electoral process.

The chairman, Ngwu, however provided updates on the voter registration exercise, nomination of candidates, and the commission’s sensitization campaigns across the state.

He solicited for the DSS’s support in areas such as; intelligence gathering, securing electoral materials, and protecting electoral officials and voters on election day.

In her response, the State Director of the DSS, Theresa Egbunu, assured ENSIEC of the agency’s commitment to working closely with the commission. She pledged the DSS’s willingness to deploy its personnel and resources to safeguard the electoral process and maintain law and order before, during, and after the local government elections.

Egbunu stressed the need for all stakeholders to play by the rules and eschew any form of electoral malpractice or violence.

She called on political parties, candidates, and the general public to cooperate with the security agencies to ensure a successful electoral exercise in the state.

The courtesy visit underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration in upholding the integrity of the electoral process. By aligning their efforts, ENSIEC and the DSS can work hand-in-hand to address potential security challenges and create an environment conducive for the people of Enugu State to freely exercise their democratic rights.