ASIMPEC MAKES DOWNWARD REVIEW OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FEES FOR CHAPTER ELECTIONS
By Mcanthony Onuoha
Following the backlash against the high Expression of Interest fees(EIFs) published by Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria Electoral Commission (ASIMPEC) for the forthcoming Chapter elections, the Commission has resolved to cut down on the fees published earlier.
After a crucial emergency meeting with the National Executive Committee, presided over by the President General of ASIMPIN, HRM, Eze Amb. Demian Emeka Obianigwe KSM, the Electoral body saw reasons to cut down on the fees which was met with serious protestation by members of the Association on its social media platforms.
In a press release personally signed by the Chairman of ASIMPEC, Mr. chijioke Daniels Nkwazema, and made available to The Prestige Magazine Online and Print, the Commission announced the review of the EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FEES(EIFs)of various elective positions in all the Chapters of ASIMPIN.
The review, according to him, “became necessary due to the spontaneous reactions that our earlier Expression of Interest Fees (EIFs) elicited. The reactions by our esteemed, numerous members showed the interest, willingness and enthusiasm of our members on the forthcoming general elections slated for 5th December,2024”.
“In a quick response, the National Executive Committee (NECOM), Board of Trustees (BoT), ASIMPIN Elders Committee (AEC),Chairmen of Chapters and ASIMPEC went into an emergency meeting. After the crucial meeting,it was resolved that the Expression of Interest Fees (EIFs) should be reviewed as follows: Chairman – Two hundred thousand Naira (N200,000.00),
Vice Chairman – One hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N150,000.00),
Secretary -One hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N150,000.00),
Asst Secretary- One hundred thousand Naira (100,000.00),
Treasurer- One hundred thousand Naira (100,000.00),
Fin. Secretary- One hundred thousand Naira (100,000.00),
Public Relations Officer (PRO)- One hundred thousand Naira (N100,000.00)
Provosts- Fifty thousand Naira(50,000.00) and
Welfare- Fifty thousand Naira (N50,000.00) respectively.”
According to the Commission, “in order to achieve inclusiveness and attract wider scope of healthy competitiveness during these elections, ASIMPEC has made three years(3) membership profile,to be minimum years as registered, financial member for Chairmanship aspirants while other aspirants get minimum of two(2) years”.
“We want to therefore, use this opportunity to call on all intending contestants to take advantage of this to purchase their Expression of Interest Forms(EIF) and ensure that they are returned on or before 15th of November,2024 as provided in ASIMPIN constitution 2021 as amended.”
The Chairman, in the statement, thanked the National Executive Committee, the BoT and all ASIMPIN members for their massive support and reiterated his stance on conducting free, fair and generally acceptable elections for all the offices in various Chapters.
