Parties threaten legal action over Imo LGA poll, alleges no proper notice

The Forum of Political Parties State Chairmen in Imo State has kicked against the proposed local government elections in the State, alleging that the state’s electoral body was planning to conduct the polls without a valid timetable and the required statutory notice to political parties.

The forum, in a statement issued at the weekend, said the exercise was reportedly scheduled with barely two-week notice, describing the arrangement as a breach of the procedures required for a credible electoral process.

It warned that political parties would challenge the proposed polls in court, insisting that they would not participate in what they described as an “electoral jamboree”.

The statement, signed by the forum’s Coordinating Secretary, Hon. Uzor Agaptus, questioned how the authorities could proceed with the election without formally communicating the necessary details to political parties and other critical stakeholders.

“How do you conduct an election without a timetable, no notice, and no information to any single political party?” he queried.

… AAlleged backdated memo

Agaptus alleged that the electoral authorities were seeking to use a purportedly backdated memo to give the impression that the proposed election had been covered by an earlier notice.

He described the alleged move as “the height of political madness”, maintaining that the objection to the election was based on legal grounds rather than political opposition.

According to him, political parties would individually approach the courts to obtain orders stopping and nullifying the proposed elections.

He added that even if the authorities proceeded with what he called the “coronation”, the outcome would still be challenged in court.

Agaptus further warned that any individual declared elected chairman through the process would have their mandate subjected to judicial scrutiny.

… Legal redress

Beyond seeking legal redress, the forum called for the investigation and possible prosecution of electoral officials allegedly involved in the violation of established electoral procedures.

Agaptus also accused the Imo State Electoral Commission of a pattern of undermining democratic processes, alleging that the state had previously witnessed the imposition of members of the State House of Assembly and a local government council chairman.

He said the proposed local government polls had further heightened concerns over the credibility of electoral processes in the state.

“Imo can’t continue like this,” he declared, urging political parties to collectively defend their constitutional rights and reject any electoral process they consider unlawful.

The forum called on political parties to unite and pursue appropriate legal measures against the proposed election.

It maintained that local government elections should be conducted in accordance with transparent, predictable and legally established procedures, rather than through what it described as sudden announcements.