The Chairman of Abia State Independent Elecoral Commission (ABSIEC), Prof Mkpa Agu Mkpa, has announced that local government elections will hold in the state on Saturday, 19th December, 2020.

Mkpa who made this known during a meeting with leaders of registered political parties in the state at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, charged the parties to ensure that they screen the certificates of all aspirants to ensure they meet the minimum qualification of a secondary school certificate before submitting their names to the Commission. He announced that the election will hold in all the 17 LGAs and 292 Wards of the state for the positions of Chairmen and Ward Councillors.

According to him, political parties that are interested in participating in the poll should visit the office of the Commission from Monday, 14th to Friday 18th September, to obtain the detailed time table while date of collection of forms for candidates will be communicated to the parties later. He also advised the party leaders to ensure that the prevailing relevant COVID-19 protocols are observed throughout the period leading to the polls and assured that the Commission on its part will ensure that the polls comply with COVID-19 safety protocols.

In his response, the State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rt Hon. Asiforo Okere, thanked ABSIEC for coming up with a time table for the election and assured that his party will mobilise her members to participate in the polls as well as abide by all the guidelines issued by the Commission.

Also Speaking, the state Chairmen of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Rev Augustine Ehiemere, implored ABSIEC to ensure a free and fair election with all the parties given a level playing ground.