Anambra holds LG poll after 14 years by Emmanuel Obe, Awka

Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission has slated the conduct
of local government elections in the state for October 5.
According to the timetable released on Monday, chairmanship and
councillorship elections would be conducted on the same day in the
state's 326 electoral wards.
If the commission keeps faith with the date, it would be the first
time in 14 years that local government elections would be conducted in
the state.
The last local council polls were held in the state on December 5,
1998, during the administration of Wing Cmdr. Emmanuel Ukaegbu, who
was the military administrator of the state.
The Acting Chairman of ANSIEC, Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, who met with
leaders of registered political parties at the commission's
headquarters in Awka on Monday, said the commissionwould conduct the
election in accordance with Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution,
Section 153/163 of the Local Government Law No 5 of Anambra State as
well as Section 31 ofthe Electoral Act, 2010, as amended.
But he said the electoral guidelines would be released on Monday next week.
He added that the commission would receive all duly completed forms
filled by candidates fielded by the parties for the election on or
before August 15.
He said previous attempts to conduct council polls by the commission
in 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2010 were marred by technical inadequacies
andviolence, particularly in 2004.