With 15 years gone by and without any democratically elected representatives at the local government level, the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) has finally set the wheels in motion as it today fixed October 5, 2013 for the conduct of the local government elections.

During an interactive session with stakeholders from different political parties at the commission’s headquarters in the state capital, Awka, the Acting Chairman of ANSIEC, Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, said the commission would start the process in earnest to ensure free and fair election.

Releasing the notice of the election, Okonkwo said: “In accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Sections 153 and 163 of the Local Government Law, No.5 of 1999 of Anambra State, as well as Section 31 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended, notice is hereby given that election for the post of chairmanship for the 21 local government councils and councillorship for the 327 electoral wards in the state shall hold on 5th day of October, 2013 in Anambra State.

“Duly completed nomination forms are to be delivered to the commission’s headquarters on or before Thursday, 15th August, 2013.”

The Acting Chairman stressed that though he is already being threatened with court injunctions if the commission goes ahead with the exercise, he would not be deterred or intimidated by anybody. He assured that ANSIEC would on next week Monday unveil the electoral guidelines and timetable for the polls.

Said Okonkwo: “I am following the path of the Holy Spirit in this venture. A lot has been said about the local government election since the last exercise was conducted in1988.

“For example, in 2001, we had everything ready for the election, but the then President Obasanjo asked all the governors not to conduct it. In 2004, we tried to conduct it in December of that year, but somewhere along the line, there was three-day mayhem in Anambra State and all the materials we assembled were burnt by hoodlums.

“In 2005, we made another attempt in February of that year and again, President Obasanjo said security situation did not favour it. In 2010, we planned to hold it in December and had done sensitisation in all the wards, but the stakeholders advised against it based on flawed voters’ register as many people would be disenfranchised.

“When INEC eventually produced the new voters’ register, we applied to use it, but INEC told us they would want to test-run it with their own election before handing it over to us.

“I pray God to blind trouble makers who would attempt to disrupt the exercise and make them deaf and dumb until the election was over.”

He assured the people of the state that those in charge of ANSIEC were committed and respected individuals who would not be compromised.

Reacting to the announcement, some of the chairmen of the political parties that attended the meeting agreed to participate in the exercise and urged the commission not to disappoint the people.

State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Ken Emeakayi, who addressed the party’s aspirants shortly after the meeting, said members of his party have agreed to take part in the exercise. Emeakayi said that the party would watch events closely as they unfold to know if the commission is really serious in conducting a free and fair ballot.

Also speaking, the state chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Chief Chuba Ikeagwu, said his party is happy that the exercise would take place after a long wait, adding that it was a step in the right direction.

•Photo shows Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State.

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