Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken legal action to stop the forthcoming Local Government election in Anambra State.
The election is scheduled to take place across the 21 council areas of the state on September 28, 2024.
The party dragged the State House of Assembly and the State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) to court over the matter, seeking to restrain the electoral body from conducting the council poll.
In a writ of summons with suit number 261/2024 filed before the State High Court in Awka, they raised concerns over the composition of the ANSIEC board, alleging that the members are biased in favour of the ruling party in the state.
They also accused the state House of Assembly of passing a law that makes it difficult for opposition parties to participate in the election.
APC urged the court to intervene and annul any elections conducted by ANSIEC on the 28th of September 2024, citing Section 23 of the Anambra State Electoral Law 2024.
They also sought an injunction to restrain ANSIEC, its agents, officers, or representatives from enforcing the provisions of Section 23 (1) of the Anambra State Electoral Law 2024 as amended.
APC argues that the National Assembly holds the authority to enact laws related to voter registration and election procedures for local government councils, based on Paragraph 12 of Part II of the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022.
The party contends that Section 23(1) of the Anambra State Electoral Law 2024, which mandates a 30-day notice period for local government council elections in the state, is invalid as it contradicts Section 103(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, a crucial aspect of the election process to council positions.
They insists that for ANSIEC to conduct valid elections for the 21 local government councils in the State, it must adhere to the provisions of Section 103(3) and Section 150 of the National Electoral Act.
They also urged the court to compel ANSIEC to provide the required statutory notice of the election to the plaintiff as stipulated under Section 103(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
