Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has expressed displeasure over Saturday’s local government election in Delta, alleging connivance between the state electoral umpire and the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Delta South Senatorial District lawmaker expressed his discontent at Emede, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Thomas alleged that the Delta Independence Electoral Commission (DSIEC) failed to release sensitive electoral materials for the election, thus conspiring with PDP to carry out electoral irregularities.

“The PDP conspired with the DSIEC to manipulate the electoral process and denied the citizens their fundamental rights to vote. Democracy worldwide is about the will of the people,” said Mr Thomas.

According to the senator, sensitive materials such as result sheets and ballot papers were not released for the electorate to exercise their franchise.

He emphasised that the action constituted electoral fraud and compromised the integrity and credibility of the election.

The lawmaker said the PDP was aware of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s strength and readiness to take over the state’s local government affairs, hence the conspiracy.

“The PDP-led government has once again undermined Delta’s democratic heritage. This is undemocratic and unacceptable,” Mr Thomas said.

Meanwhile, the immediate past chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Michael Tidi, described the election as peaceful and credible.

Mr Tidi, who voted at Ward 5, Idama Unit 9, also said the turnout was impressive compared to the state’s previous elections.

“The election was peaceful, and from the information I gathered so far, the turnout was quite impressive.

“The turnout is more than what we had in the last election. The security is also very commendable,” he said.

Mr Tidi thanked the people for keeping fate with the PDP and urged them to continue supporting the state’s ruling party.

(NAN)