Ebonyi state has fixed August 15 for the conduct of local government election amidst the corona virus pandemic.
Chairman of Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, Barrister Jossy Eze, disclosed this in Abakaliki on Wednesday, while briefing political parties stakeholders on the development.
Jossy reiterated that EBSIEC would continue with all the processes already put in place for the election before it was suspended as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Eze noted that the Commission would republish names of all qualified candidates who won the primaries which were conducted early this year.
He said that some states conducted local government election during the lockdown and assured that the election would be conducted in line with COVID 19 protocols.
The EBISEC chairman, noted that the state government had suspended the conduct of local government election following the Ebonyi State Coronavirus and other Dangerous (Infectious) Diseases and Related Matters Law, 2020 and Regulations.
He noted, “On March 16, the parties agreed to have an indefinite suspension of the election because of the pandemic.
“Therefore, having been convinced that we can comfortably conduct our local government election, we invited you today to convey the new development.
“15th day of August 2020, that is the day this Commission will conduct and elect the chairmen and councillors for the local governments. For now, we are urging the political parties to commence their activities and campaigns.
He said that the recruitment, training, and enlightenment of ad-hoc staff who will participate in the poll would all strictly adhere to the Covid-19 rules.
“If your friend wants to apply for ad-hoc work the person must be ready to comply with the Covid-19 rules which include wearing of face mask, and the use of hand sanitizer.
“I have directed my officers in charge to republish names of political party candidates who won the primaries and are qualified to stand for the election.
Some of the stakeholders and representatives of political parties who spoke at the event, reiterated their commitment to abide by the guidelines of EBSIEC.
Recall that Local Government Election in Ebonyi state was scheduled to take place on 25th April, 2020 before it was suspended by Governor Umahi.
But the recent directive from the government for the conduct of the election came after an Enugu based legal practioner , Barr Kelechi Chukwu dragged the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi to court, seeking nullification of his appointment of caretaker Chairmen into the 13 Council areas in the state.
Barr Kelechi in the suit number HAB/90/2030, prayed the court to compel the caretaker chairmen to refund all the allocations received while serving as caretaker, as their appointment was illegal.
The caretaker chairmen for the 13 council areas of the State were appointed on May 29, 2020 by the governor.
