After A Decade+ Anambra Set To Conduct Local Government Polls

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Over ten years after it held elections into Local Council Offices ,the Anambra State Government on Tuesday inched closer to holding another polls with the inauguration of the State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC.

The Source reports that the State Electoral Umpire has been in limbo since it conducted the last known and acknowledged Council Elections between 2014 and 2015.

The Supreme Court had, on Thursday June 20 2024, ruled to affirm the financial independence of the Third Tier of Government.

It also declared unconstitutional the running of Local Governments with appointed officials.

The Apex Court in the land had directed the withholding of funds of Local Councils under the administration of Caretaker officials among others.

Speaking in the wake of the landmark judgment, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, at the Presidential Villa, welcomed the ruling, and insisted that it well assist in enthroning a regime of accountability and transparency in the running of council affairs .

The Governor, also, expressed optimism that it will fast-track growth and development at the grassroots level.

He assured that plans were on top gear to reconstitute the State Electoral Commission as a prelude to conducting Council Polls ,after the last exercise in 2014.

Prof. Soludo informed that one of the cardinal promises he made during electioneering campaigns was the conduct of a free and fair Local Government Election, noting that he is determined to fulfill it.

The six-member ANSIEC is to be headed by  Genevieve Osakwe ,a Magistrate.

At the inauguration in Awka, the State capital, Governor Soludo enjoined the members to discharge their duties creditably.

He noted that the people of the State are not expecting anything short of dedicated and sincere services from the Commission members.

According to Prof Soludo, the core mandate of the Commission include organizing, undertaking, and supervising all elections and matters relating to elections into Local Government offices in the State.

The Commission’s responsibilities under the 2024 Anambra State Electoral Law, Soludo further stated also involve the delineation of Wards and Constituencies as explicitly prescribed by the law for the purpose of conducting Elections.

Other members of the electoral body are Osita Igbokwe, John Okeke, Chinedu Nnalue, Helen Umeh and Bernadine Obande.

The Commission is expected to conduct  Local polls in the State before the end of . September, 2024.