Delta CSOs Urge NASS To Review Council Poll Laws

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Delta State has called on the National Assembly to review the Local Government Electioneering laws in order to address the overbearing influence of state governments on the process.

They made the appeal during a post-election briefing with journalists in Asaba, where they noted that reforms would boost the confidence of stakeholders on the outcome of elections.

Speaking on observations on last Saturdays local elections in the state, the Chairman of Accredited Observers, Mr. Efemena Atutu, pointed there were remarkable improvements in the process in terms of early arrival of Ad-hoc staff and a high level of electioneering standards.

Mr. Efemena however observed the minimal involvement of opposition parties in the elections while advocating for a change in local election laws to enable the actual independence of state electoral commissions to boost confidence in the process.

A renowned Activist and Special Assistant to the Government on Civil Engagement, Mr. Rex Anighoro, said he monitored the polls in over a dozen local government areas, noting the elections were credible despite allegations of electoral fraud by a section of the public.

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Mr. Anighoro also tasked the newly elected chairmen to address the challenges in their locally with the citizens welfare in focus.

Similarly, the Coordinator of Civil Society Organizations in Delta State Mr. Okezie Odughala, observed the CSO’s would engage the newly elected council Chairmen to effect positive changes in local government administration in the state.

Present at the post-election media briefing were representatives from civil society organizations such as The Initiative for Cultural Heritage, The Alliance for Social Justice and Advocates for Sustainable Development amongst others.