The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC has released guidelines for creation of more Electoral Wards across the state.
In a statement, DSIEC, Director, Public Affairs and Communications, Mr Arubi Orugboh said the decision of the Commission was in line with the powers conferred on it by the law, saying that the Commission is constitutionally empowered to embark on review of electoral Wards after every ten years.
Orugboh further disclosed that the last ward delineation exercise in the state took place in 2004, stressing that since then, the Commission had been inundated with a myriad of requests from communities and political stakeholders, some of whom have alleged that they have been politically marginalized during the previous exercise.
He said following the requests and the good disposition of the Commission, DSIEC intends to embark on processes of more electoral wards creation exercise in the local government areas of the state with stipulated guidelines.
According to the guidelines signed by the Chairman of the Commission, Chief Mike Ogbodu, interested applicants from areas desiring to be constituted into electoral wards, shall provide in the application, projected population figures, using the 1991 Census figures.
Also to be provided are evidence of the registered number of voters and voting strength in the last local government elections in the proposed wards, evidence of public institutions such as schools, health centres and other landmarks as well as a sketch map of the area covering the proposed electoral wards.
It stated that applicants are expected to submit five copies of the application letters, duly signed by at least five prominent community leaders and stakeholders from the communities.
The statement further explained that the application letters should be addressed to the Chairman, Delta State Independent Electoral Commission and to be submitted within a stipulated time of ten days at the Commission’s Headquarters, Kilometer 8, Asaba-Onitsha Expressway, Asaba.
All applications are expected to be submitted at the headquarters office of the Commission at Asaba on or before Monday, 19th October, 2020.