The Imo State Government has admonished the Imo State marketers and traders association to ensure that their upcoming elections are free and fair
Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. Kingsley Ononuju said this on behalf of the The Government’s, under the aegies When leaders of the Imo State Branch of the Association paid him a courtesy call at the State secretariet complex Owerri.
The entourage comprising of market leaders drawn from 3 geopolitical zones in Imo state (Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe) came in respect to the upcoming ISMATA election in the state. They came to liase with the Ministry on their preparedness, laydown rules and modalities to ensuring free and fair election of the association. They reiterated their commitment for effective violent free election.
In response, Ononuju opined that most fundamental principle defining credible elections is that they must reflect the free expression and will of the people. To achieve this, elections should be transparent, inclusive, and accountable, and there must be equitable opportunities to compete in the elections.
Barr. Ononuju noted that election malpractices, Electoral fraud, sometimes referred to as election fraud, election manipulation or vote rigging, or illegal interference with the process of an election, either by increasing the vote share of the favored candidate, depressing the vote share of the other candidates, or both will never be tolerated.
To this regard, a high powered electoral committee have been inaugurated on Wednesday 12th of August 2020 by the Honourable Commissioner to take charge in delivering accurate, rancor and violent free and fair ISMATA election in the state.
The market leaders meeting have in attendance: Hon OGB (Chairman Ideato International Market, Come Anayo Amaefule (Kezz Plaza Douglass road Owerri), Ohaekelem Obinna (Secretary Malaysia Market), Elder Martin Iwuozor, Comrade Peter Nduchekwe (Auto spare parts market Obowo), Mr Felix O. Agiriga (Okigwe Indigenous Market), Nze Jude Anuforo (Imo International Market Egbeada), Nnodim Henry (Worldbank market New owerri), Chima Nwaokeke (Nwaorie lane market), Hon Paschal Nzeh, Augustus Onyewuenyi, Hon Chief Clinton Ashagwara (Ekw Okigwe market), and Hon Okwudiri Alex’s (Imo International Modern Market).
Mazi Obioma Nnadozie
P.A New Media