Ihiala most challenging council in Anambra- INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has branded Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State as the most challenging council area in the State, where the commission fears to send its officials during elections due to the activities of political thugs and moneybags.
The  State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),  Edwin Nwatarali, who disclosed this while receiving the executive members of Ihiala Grassroots Progressive Initiative in his office, stated that the type of arms and ammunition being brandished by politicians in the council area at every election was worrisome. He said it took the intervention of armed soldiers to bring out the officials of the commission from the council area during the 2015 polls.
His words: “Ihiala people need constant voter education from kindred to associations/institutions, wards to local government level because activities of political gladiators and interests at the council area are quiet alarming. They hardly play the game according to the rule.
“To most of them, election is either a do -or -die affair. Once it is election time, you will see the moneybags and their thugs brandishing all kinds of weapons to eliminate their political opponents. It is terrible! It took God’s grace to salvage our officials from them at 2015 polls.”
The police and their weapons could not scare the thugs, who were armed with modern sophisticated weapons. It was the quick intervention of armed Nigerian soldiers that saved our officials from the daredevil.
“At every election, they will come to us pleading for help. When you ask what kind of help they needed from you, they will quickly ask you to name your price, vowing to pay in cash, cheques or appointment; just for you to rig the election to their favour”, he said.
Nwatarali stated that INEC  needed well equipped collation centre due to non-conducive accommodation and infrastructural decay at its present office.
Earlier, the delegation from  Ihiala Grassroot Progressive Initiative called for partnership with INEC in resolving the challenges facing the commission at every poll in the council area.