The Anambra House of Assembly has
amended the State Electoral (Amendment No 3) Law 2024 at plenary on Thursday ahead of the September 28 local government election.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the motion for the amendment was moved by the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions and member representing Anambra East Constituency, Hon. Obi Nweke and was seconded by Hon. Nobel Igwe.
This was in line with the Standing Order of the House in Order 74, clause one where the rule allows the three readings to be completed in one day with the approval of a two-third majority of the members present.
Leading the debate Hon. Obi Nweke emphasized that the amendments were necessary to prevent a gap in the local government system and to avoid ambiguity in council tenure, ensuring the law is clear and to reduce unnecessary litigation.
” The first amendment was to recapture the tenure of the entire council for a period of two years.
“The second amendment was just a typographical error, referred to section 23 and 24 instead of 24 and 25. It’s just a minor amendment to ensure clarity for the entire local government council to avoid ambiguity that may lead to unnecessary litigations.
“The amendment was effected on Section 110 of the Principal Law, where a new subsection 4 was inserted to show clarity in the parent law, and which seeks to dissolve the local government Council at the expiration of a period of two years, commencing from the date of inauguration of the council.
“In the parent law, the tenure of Chairman and deputy was specified as two years excluding Councillors. But this one captured all of them.”
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Somtochukwu Udeze said the law shall be cited as Anambra State Electoral Law No 3 2024 and shall take effect on the 12th day of September 2024.
