Imo CSOs reject November 7 council polls, demand ISIEC chairman’s sack

A coalition of Imo State civil society organisations, CSOs, has expressed concern about the choice of November 7 as the new date for the conduct of council elections in the state, as fixed by the State Independent Electoral Commission.

The group pointed out that the 33-day notice is in violation of Section 28(1) of the 2026 Electoral Act, which, it said, makes it mandatory that notice of such an election shall be given not later than 300 days before the date fixed for holding such an election.

The coalition made its position known in a press statement jointly signed by its Coordinator, Chibundu Uchegbu, and Secretary, Udochukwu Uchegbu, in which it also called for the sack of the ISIEC Chairman, Charles Ejiogu.

“We recognise that it’s the exclusive responsibility of ISIEC to fix dates for the conduct of council elections in the state, but such responsibility must be exercised in line with our laws, S. 28(1) of the 2026 Electoral Act.

“In this circumstance, ISIEC, in a statement, gave 33 days’ notice for holding Local Government Council elections, an act that completely violated the 2026 Electoral Act. This is the same breach that made the initial date impossible,” the release stated.

The coalition recalled that in the same press release, the commission fixed the new date after a series of consultations with the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, and other relevant stakeholders, which it maintained was in line with the law establishing it.

It, however, pointed out that compliance with laws is fundamental to strengthening democratic institutions.

“Why has ISIEC suddenly woken up in its responsibilities? It suddenly woke up on 18th September, 2026 and fixed council elections on 26th September the same year. That was a violation of law!

“Following the cancellation, it woke up again on 5th October, 2026 and fixed the same council elections for 7th November, 2026. Yet another violation of law!

“The burden bearers of ISIEC inefficiency are the people of Imo State whose affairs at the Local Government levels are being run by administrators they did not elect,” the release added.

The CSOs, in the press statement, called on ISIEC to suspend further action on conducting the planned council elections.

It also used the medium to call on the Governor of the State, Hope Uzodinma, to sack the Chairman of the commission and appoint a new chairman to reorganise what it described as a disorganised electoral body.

The group suggested that the new chairman, when appointed, should fix an appropriate date for the election that would be acceptable to the people of Imo State.

Imo CSOs reject November 7 council polls, demand ISIEC chairman’s sack