…By Christian ABURIME

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has inaugurated the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC.

Magistrate Chinelo Genevieve Osakwe is Chairman of the Commission

Members are Mrs. Bernadine Obande, Barr. Osita Cyril Igbokwe, Sir Chinedu Anthony Nnalue, Mrs. Helen Ifeyinwa Umeh and Mr. John Emeka Okeke.

The inauguration, which took place at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, is coming after over one decade since the last local government election was conducted in the state.

Terms of reference of the members include organizing, undertaking, and supervising all elections and matters pertaining to elections to the elective offices in the local government councils in the state, render such advice as
it may consider necessary to the Independent National Electoral Commission on the compilation of the register of voters In so far as that register is applicable to the Local Government of the State, prescribe guidelines to political parties, stipulating 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; consult regularly with all registered political parties in the State and ensure 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.

The 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 ward 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 Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria.

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

While stating that the law clearly spelt out their wide range of functions, the governor 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, recalled that the conduct of a local government election was a major promise he made to ndị Anambra when he was inaugurated and emphasized that crafting the law and getting the institution up and running, took some time

“The rest of the job is in your hands. People of Anambra are expecting you to hit the ground running.

“When you are done, announce to the people when you’ll hold elections. I’ve done my job.

“Ndị Anambra, here comes your ANSIEC Commissioners”, the Governor added.

He expressed optimism that with their credentials, it is expected that the Commission would render first-rate action.

On her part, the ANSIEC Chairman, Magistrate Osakwe, expressed happiness for being given the opportunity to serve.

“This is a big task. We will wade through the storm.

“Ndị Anambra will be grateful after our work. We will render this service diligently and transparently.

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

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Secretary to the State Government, Professor 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.