Senator Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, representing Delta South senatorial district, has condemned the Delta State Independence Electoral Commission (DSIEC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government for undermining the state’s democratic heritage.
This may not be unconnected to their failure to release sensitive electoral materials, including result sheets and ballot papers, for the local government council elections.
Speaking in Emede, Isoko south, Senator Joel-Onowakpo accused DSIEC of colluding with the ruling PDP to deny citizens their fundamental right to vote, effectively rendering the election invalid.
The senator alleged that the PDP, aware of the APC’s readiness to take over local government affairs, conspired with DSIEC to manipulate the electoral process.
He lamented that the PDP-led government with the non-release of sensitive materials constitutes electoral fraud and compromises the election’s integrity.
“Democracy worldwide is about the will of the people, but DSIEC and the PDP have conspired to deny citizens their right to elect local government leaders. This is undemocratic and unacceptable,” he said.
He stressed the need for constitutional amendment to transfer the power to constitute state electoral commissions from state governors to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Until INEC takes over local government elections, we cannot guarantee the true autonomy of the third tier of government,” he said.
