By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

With the Local Government elections slated for September 28, 2024, about 700 individuals have declared their interest to vie for the number one seat in the 21 Council areas of Anambra State.

This is coming on the heels of the announcement by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) stating the date of the election.

The aspirants cut across the six major political parties, PDP, APGA, APC, SDP, LP and ADC include councillors and local government chairmen.

Recall that the state Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, inaugurated ANSIEC on Tuesday and urged the commission to work out date for the conduct of the Council election in the state.

He also admonished them to ensure the election is conducted in a free and fair manner, giving the contestants a level playing ground.

The election timetable and schedule of activities are available at the ANSIEC headquarters in Awka.

The election date was revealed by ANSIEC Chairman Genevieve Osakwe in a circular.

The last election was held in 2014, with successive governors appointing caretaker committee chairmen and administrators to run the local government system.

Meanwhile, the Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency at Green Chambers of the National Assembly, Afam Victor Ogene have criticized the Anambra State House of Assembly’s hasty amendment of the state’s Electoral Law, describing it as an undemocratic tactic to frustrate opposition parties.

He said: “The amendment notice period for local government elections was reduced from 60 to 30 days, raising concerns that the APGA led government created a political ambush against other political parties in the State.”

According to Ogene, who is the leader of the Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives, the shortened notice period would lead to widespread disenfranchisement and make it difficult for stakeholders to prepare for the election.

He further accused Soludo and the State Assembly of perpetuating an undemocratic practice, excluding the majority and undermining the essence of democratic practice.

Ogene urged advocates of democracy to remain vigilant and ensure that the people’s will is not subverted by the state government’s tactics.

Notably, the SDP will contest the polls predominantly as aggrieved factional members of APGA.