Date: 30 July, 2026
By Abraham Ovuoba
With less than a month to the conduct of the August 22 local government election in Ebonyi State, the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) has declared that it is fully prepared to deliver a free, fair, credible and peaceful poll across the state.
The commission also issued a stern warning to politicians and their supporters against violence, ballot box snatching, voter intimidation and other electoral offences, insisting that anyone who violates the law would be arrested and prosecuted.
EBSIEC Chairman, Hon. Enyi Patrick Chibuike, gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the commission’s annex in Abakaliki. The meeting attracted representatives of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), political parties, security agencies, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities and media organisations.
Chibuike assured stakeholders that the commission had concluded all necessary arrangements for a transparent electoral process, stressing that the outcome of the election would be determined solely by the votes cast by the people.
“We want Ebonyi people to vote freely and without fear. Whoever the people elect will be declared the winner. We are also open to constructive observations from stakeholders because no institution is above improvement, but we are determined to conduct an election that will stand as a model for other states,” he said.
He appealed to security agencies to sustain close collaboration with the commission to guarantee the safety of voters, election officials and electoral materials before, during and after the exercise.
The EBSIEC boss also applauded Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for providing the financial, logistical and operational support that has enabled the commission to prepare adequately for the election, expressing confidence that the exercise would strengthen democratic governance at the grassroots.
Head of Information, Voter Education and Publicity, Hon. Collins Agbo, disclosed that the commission had complied with all legal provisions by publishing the election notice 360 days before the poll, as stipulated by the Electoral Act and Ebonyi State electoral laws.
He further revealed that intensive voter education and sensitization campaigns had been carried out across the 13 local government areas to encourage eligible voters to participate actively in the election, dismissing reports that the outcome of the poll had already been predetermined.
Also speaking, the Commissioner in charge of Logistics and Field Operations, Dr. Hyacinth Nwoba, said sensitive and non-sensitive election materials were ready for deployment, while trained personnel would be assigned to the state’s 171 electoral wards and 2,947 communities.
He added that polling units would open at 7:30 a.m. on election day, with adequate transportation and logistics already put in place for election officials.
On security, the Commissioner in charge of Legal and Security, Barr. Stanley Odanwo, warned political parties and their supporters to steer clear of violence and other electoral offences, reminding them that campaigns must end 24 hours before the election in line with the law.
According to him, EBSIEC is working closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Commissioner for Administration and General Services, Dr. Irem Collins Okechukwu, said members of staff had undergone intensive training to guarantee professionalism and transparency during the election, while Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Emmanuel, assured stakeholders that adequate funding had been provided to support all election operations.
In their separate remarks, the Ebonyi State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs. Okogwu Chinyere Nnenna, IPAC Chairperson, Hon. Mrs. Nwigwe Queendaline, ADC State Chairperson, Dr. Mrs. Jennifer Adibe Nwafor, representatives of persons with disabilities, political parties and other stakeholders pledged their commitment to supporting a peaceful and credible election.
The event also featured the unveiling of EBSIEC’s Vision and Mission Statements, which the commission adopted to guide its operations.
The Vision reads “To be the foremost state election management body in Nigeria, noted for sound democratic practices and electoral integrity,”
