Anambra commission insists on August 29 election despite law suit

The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) is set to proceed with the local government elections on August 29, despite a legal challenge from 56 serving councillors. The commission's chairman, Genevieve Osakwe, addressed this issue on Monday in Awka, expressing the commission's determination to keep the election preparations on track.

The conflict stems from a lawsuit filed in the Anambra State High Court by the councillors, who argue that the state government's decision to limit council officials' tenure to two years is unconstitutional. Section 110(A) of the Anambra State Electoral (Amendment No. 3) Law, 2024, is the specific provision under contention. The plaintiffs claim that their tenure has not ended and that they are entitled to serve for four years.

However, Osakwe insisted that the pending lawsuit has not halted the commission's preparations, emphasizing that filing a suit does not automatically suspend an electoral process. She urged political parties and candidates to continue their preparations, stating that the ANSIEC would conduct the election in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and relevant state electoral laws.

The attorneys general of the state, the Anambra State House of Assembly, and the ANSIEC are among the defendants in the case.