By LUCY OSUIZIGBO-OKECHUKWU

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 12 political parties will participate in the Anambra South Senatorial bye-election scheduled for Aug. 16.

In addition, nine political parties will contest in the Onitsha North Constituency 1 bye-election for the Anambra State House of Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South in the Senate, passed away in July, 2024.

Similarly, Mr Justice Azuka, lawmaker representing Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the Anambra State Assembly, died following his reported abduction by gunmen on Dec. 24, 2024.

The death of the legislators necessitated the conduct of a bye-election.

Dr Elizabeth Agwu, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra, affirmed the commission’s preparedness to conduct the up-coming bye-elections.

According to Agwu, non-sensitive election materials have already arrived in the state and have been distributed, while robust security measures are in place to ensure smooth conduct of the polls.

She also noted that the training of ad hoc staffers, including Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs), began on Friday and will concluded on Sunday across 15 local government areas in the state.

“To ensure the credibility of the bye-elections, individuals found culpable in previous exercises have been blacklisted, among other measures taken,’’ she said.

Agwu expressed concern that certain political parties are focusing on propaganda rather than genuine campaigning.

“Let me emphasised that everyone contesting in the elections is a candidate approved by INEC, but ultimately, it is the voters who will decide the winners,” she said.

Some of the candidates contesting in the Anambra South Senatorial bye-election include: Mr Donald Amangbo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Mr Azuka Okwuosa of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Also contesting are; Mr Peter Ekwueme of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Mr Azubuike Okoli of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Chief Emma Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), among others. (NAN)