A citizens advocacy platform, the Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONet), on Tuesday, called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to sign the recently passed Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC Bill, into law.
The bill which was passed by the State House of Assembly, late last month, seeks to constitute the ANSIEC body and empower it to conduct local government elections in the state.
The passing of the bill had come as a relief to major political watchers in the state, especially at the grassroots, who are angling to see democratically-elected officials at the local government level in the state.
This is also against the background that LGA polls were last conducted in the state in 2014, at the twilight of the then-Peter Obi administration.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Awka on Tuesday by the ACSONET lead, Prince Chris Azor, the group demanded that the governor immediately appends his signature to the bill, so that the process of conducting LGA elections can commence in the state.
According to him, “The Anambra State House of Assembly has taken a significant step towards strengthening democracy in our State by passing the ANSIEC Bill into law.
“This crucial legislation which came as an executive Bill, aims to ensure the independence and effectiveness of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), while empowering the Commission to set in motion the process of conducting local government election in the State.
“We the citizens of Anambra State, therefore, urge Governor Chukwuma Soludo to sign the ANSIEC Bill into law without further delay.”
Comrade Azor expressed the hope that the law will enhance the credibility and transparency of local government elections, empower ANSIEC to conduct free and fair elections, strengthen democratic institutions in the state, and engender sustainable development.
The group also, appealed to Governor Soludo, to keep his promise and demonstrate commitment to democracy and the rule of law by constituting the ANSIEC Body with the Chairman, Secretary, and Commissioners accordingly.
This it said, “would engender a stronger, more democratic Anambra State.”
