A total of nine political parties will be participating in the forthcoming local government elections in Anambra State, slated for Saturday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

This was revealed in a publication of final list of candidates by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) in Awka.

The political parties participating in the elections include Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples? Party (NNPP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Others are Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

NAN reports that only APGA fielded candidates for all the 21 chairmanship and 326 councillorship positions while PDP fielded 18 out of the 21 chairmanship and 228 out of the 326 ward councillorship positions.

NNPP fielded eight candidates out of the 21 chairmanship and 37 candidates out the 326 councillorship positions while LP fielded six candidates for chairmanship and 12 for councillorship positions.

Accord Party fielded four candidates for chairmanship and four for councillorship positions, while YPP fielded three candidates for chairmanship and 44 for councillorship positions.

AA fielded one candidate each for chairmanship and councillorship positions, while SDP fielded one candidate for chairmanship nine for councillorship positions.

ZLP only fielded four candidates for councillorship position.

NAN reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not field candidates as it officially withdrew from the local government elections, citing concerns over electoral irregularities.

The party announced Its decision on Sept. 8 and revealed plans to challenge the election process in court. (NAN)

*LOGO OF ANAMBRA STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (ANSIEC)