Soludo inaugurates electoral commission members in Anambra

The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has inaugurated the board of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission with Genevieve Osakwe as the chairman.

The inauguration, which took place at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, on Tuesday, came after 10 years since the last local government election was conducted in the state.

During the exercise, the governor said their confirmation by the state House of Assembly paved the way for fulfilling one of the key promises he made to the people of the state.

He said the team will play a crucial role in setting the stage for the local government elections and ensuring the smooth, peaceful, and transparent conduct of polls in the state.

Soludo stressed that they have been called to perform an onerous task, especially as it concerns the conduct of local government elections in the state.

While stating that the law clearly spelt out their wide range of functions, he asked them to expedite action and set a date for the conduct of local government election for ndị Anambra.

He charged them on rendering sterling service with honour and integrity while recalling that the conduct of a local government election was a major promise he made when he assumed office and emphasised that crafting the law and getting the institution up and running, took some time.

He said, “The rest of the job is in your hands. The people of Anambra are expecting you to hit the ground running. When you are done, announce to the people when you will hold elections. I have done my job.

“Ndị Anambra, here comes your ANSIEC Commissioners. I am optimistic that with their credentials, it is expected that the Commission would render first-rate action.”

He added that the terms of reference of the members include organising, undertaking, and supervising all elections and matters pertaining to elections to the elective offices in the local government councils in the state.

“They will render such advice as it may be considered necessary to the Independent National Electoral Commission the compile the register of voters In so far as that register is applicable to the local government of the state, prescribes guidelines to political parties, stipulates the rules and procedure for the conduct of Local Government elections in the State, conduct voter and civic education.

“Others are to promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes, conduct any referendum or plebiscite required to be conducted pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution(as amended) or any law of the State, prepare and submit its budget directly to the House of Assembly, liaise directly with the Commissioner of Police, Director, State Security Service, and other relevant security bodies that may facilitate violence-free and fair elections.

“They will consult regularly with all registered political parties in the State and ensure the free flow of information about the Commission, appoint a lawyer to defend the Commission and prosecute anyone who violates the provisions of the law, assign poll clerks and orderlies in respect of each polling station or unit to assist at the poll and perform such other functions as may be conferred on it by Law,” he added.

Other functions of the Commission under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section shall include the division of the area of the local government, into such number of wards or constituencies as are prescribed by law for the purpose of the elections to be conducted by the Commission.

In the exercise of its function under paragraph (a) of sub-section (1) and under sub-section (2) of this section, the Commission shall use the Voters Registers compiled by the INEC.

While speaking, the ANSIEC Chairman,  Osakwe, expressed happiness for being given the opportunity to serve.

She said, “This is a big task. We will wade through the storm. Ndị Anambra will be grateful for our work. We will render this service diligently and transparently.

“This is a formidable team. We’ll do our work and do it well.”

Other members of the commission are Mrs Bernadine Obande, Osita Cyril Igbokwe, Sir Chinedu Anthony Nnalue, Mrs Helen Ifeyinwa Umeh and Mr John Emeka Okeke.

The Deputy governor, Onyekachukwu Ibezim; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu; Head of Service, Barr. Theodora Igwegbe, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Sylvia Ifemeje, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, SA on Legal matters, Tobechukwu Nweke SAN, and other members of the State Executive Council were present at the event.

Recall that the last local government elections were last held in the state in 2014, and for over 10 years, all the 21 local government areas have been run by caretaker committee chairmen appointed by the governor every three months.