ANAMBRA ANSIEC TO WORK WITH ONLY PARTY CHAIRMAN'S LISTS

Okonkwo, who took over from the former chairman, Prof. Titus Eze, who was removed last week by the Anambra State House of Assembly, told reporters in his office that the decision was to avoid the problem of some political parties presenting multiple candidates for the election.

He said: 'We know that some political parties are factionalised and that is why we have taken the decision to use only the list endorsed by the national chairmen of the political parties because we are not prepared to go to court with any party on the issue. The parties should therefore sit up as the commission will not tolerate double candidates, which often create problems.'

Okonkwo, who was a commissioner in the commission before his elevation last week, also spoke of the preparedness of ANSIEC to conduct the election without undue delay, adding that the commission would soon articulate a proposal for a smooth exercise.

According to him, 'the good thing is that we already have the voters' register and we have identified all the polling stations, but the date for the election I cannot say for now.'

He explained that all the processes initiated by his predecessor would be continued, adding that the next programme on its agenda would be a training programme for its staff to prepare them adequately for the election. He said that the commission would invite staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other stakeholders to mount the training programme for the staff.

The chairman commended the state governor for what he described as his magnanimity in funding the commission, noting that in addition to the N100 million released to ANSIEC last year, the commission also got N8 million for the renovation of its offices, while its overhead has been the best in the state.

He urged the staff of the commission to remain resolute and be ready to carry out the exercise, assuring them that their welfare would be adequately taken care of.