The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC, has postponed the local government elections earlier scheduled to hold on October 5, 2013.
The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Sylvester Okonkwo, announced a new date of December 14, 2013 at a meeting with stakeholders and representatives of political parties in Awka on Tuesday.
Okonkwo said that 24 days to the elections, political parties were yet to submit the list of candidates and forms to the commission.
“No political party has submitted the list of candidates. How can we run an election without the parties in the ballot paper or know how many ballot boxes to customise? He asked.
He also noted that the postponement was due to pressure from stakeholders and political parties that the election was close to the governorship poll slated to hold on November 16.
“Most people called saying that November 16 governorship election is so close and that we are conducting the local government elections to favour a particular party.
“They suggested that we conduct the elections after November 16 governorship and that conducting the polls under such pressure could result to violence.
“Even with adequate funding, we cannot still go on with all the requirements that are needed to ensure free, fair and credible elections 24 days to the elections.
“In view of all the variables, we held a stormy session this morning following the phone calls and text messages which most of us have been inundated with.
“We have equally prayed and after all the considerations, we are pleading that you allow us shift this election to December 14”, he said.
The ANSIEC boss said that the commission would not want to conduct elections that would be marred by violence, stressing “if anything happens, it might spill over to the governorship election”.
He, however, added that all the processes leading to the election would continue and urged political parties to submit the list of their candidates to enable the commission continue with the process.
In a reaction, the state chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Chuks Chinwuba, commended the development, saying it would allow other political parties prepare adequately for the polls.
“I want to commend ANSIEC. Their pronouncement shows that they are honourable. All the political parties want local government elections conducted, but we want it done in conducive environment and not in a situation where it is rushed in favour of a political party.
“By December 14, Anambra would have solved the major issue of electing their governor; we will then look at the new date and know what next”, he observed.
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