By Anastasia Agunwa/Chizoba Okeke/Gloria Abugu :
A Bill for a Law to amend the Anambra State Electoral Law, 2024 and to provide for other related purposes has passed into Law on the floor of the Anambra State House of Assembly.
This followed the necessary amendments of various Sections one to seven of the Principal Law at the “Committee of the Whole” by the lawmakers, after which the bill read for the Third Time before it passed into law on July 25.
The Law shall come into force on the 25th day of July, 2024.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme had moved a motion for the Bill to be read a third time and passed while the Minority Leader, Hon. Johnbosco Akaegbobi seconded the motion.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze who presided over the plenary said the amendments was necessary in order to conduct a credible Local Government elections in the state.
Rt. Hon. Udeze had put up the motion to vote for its final passage while the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice votes.
However, after the first reading of the Bill, the Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme through order 74 of the House, moved a motion for the second reading and was seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Johnbosco Akaegbobi.
Leading the debate for second reading, the member representing Ekwusigo Constituency, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme said, “the Anambra State Electoral Law 2024 is already a working document but that the amendment shows the readiness of the state and support of the House of Assembly to make sure that the election of the Local Government elections must come as quickly as possible in accordance to the demands of the people.
“As lawmakers, there are few areas we need to look at so that we will be able to give transparency and accountability elections to Ndi Anambra,” Ofodeme said
On his part, the member representing Ogbaru 1 constituency, Hon. Noble Igwe and the Anambra West counterpart, Hon. Patrick Udoba described the amendment of the Electoral Bill as apt, considering the importance of Local Government elections in Anambra State which will be conducted as soon as possible.
Anastasia, Chizoba and Gloria are of the State Ministry of Information, Awka.
