The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has revealed that six wards had not been represented in two local government areas since the October 2014 polls in the state.
Mr Moses Ogbe, Chairman of DSIEC said that the affected wards would not be represented until the court decided on the issues, adding that no fewer than 42 cases were pending at the tribunal across the state in respect of the last elections.
“As at today six wards are not represented, four in Ndokwa East and two in Udu LGAs in the 2014 LG elections because the court issued order to stop elections when we had already commenced the runoff elections in the areas.”
Ogbe, disclosed this when Chief Edafe Okereka, President, Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network, Southern Nigerian Zone and members presented an award of mark of service and certificate to the commission for conducting a free, fair and credible elections.
The chairman said that the commission decided not to announce results of the runoff elections in four wards in Ndokwa East and two wards in Udu LGAs of the state in respect to court orders stopping it from conducting the elections.
He said that the Commission is committed from day one to delivering a credible LG elections and to make sure that outcome of the elections would be satisfactory to the people.
He, however, commended the media, especially the grassroots newspapers who had made it possible for the people in the rural communities to believe and supported DSIEC to deliver a credible elections then.
“Because we were determined to deliver a free, fair and credible elections, we trained, educated and enlightened the people on the voting process, we did not withhold any document and information.
“So, when there was issues in Ethiope East, Ndokwa East and parts of Okpe and Udu LGAs, we did not hesitate to cancel those elections in October and a repeat and runoff elections took place at a later date in those areas,” he said.
The DSIEC boss said the commission was compiling the result of the elections for public presentation, adding that it was determined to do things in the best interest of the people.
He thanked the publishers for honour to him, the commission and to the commissioner for leaving a mark of service and urger them to educate the public on the forth coming elections.
“I urge you to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ant the security personnel to ensure a free and credible general elections.
Earlier, Okereka, presenting the awards, lauded the commission, chairman and the commissioners for dutifully conducting a successful 2014 LG elections in the state.
He noted that a grassroots publishers, they had made enquires and had come to conclusion that the chairman and the commission had done well to deliver a peaceful and successful elections in the state.
“We therefore present to you and the commission awards as grassroots ambassador of free, fair and credible elections and for leaving a mark of service to the people of the state,” Okereka said.
