The Enugu State High Court has issued a ruling that mandates the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) to reschedule the local government elections from the previously planned date of October 5th, 2024, to September 21st, 2024. This ruling came as a result of suit No. E/608m/2024, filed by Aninri Local Government Area along with 16 others against ENSIEC.
The Chairman of ENSIEC, Professor Christian Chimdubem Ngwu, announced that the Commission would comply with the court’s directive by revising the election timetable. "In response to the court’s directive, the Commission is amending the activities and timetable for the Local Government Councils Elections in Enugu State," Professor Ngwu stated during a press briefing.
Revised Election Timetable
The revised timetable outlines a series of activities leading up to the election, beginning with the submission of candidates' credentials and ending with the election itself on September 21st, 2024. The key dates in the timetable include:
August 28th-30th, 2024: Submission of the list of candidates nominated by political parties to ENSIEC headquarters.
August 31st - September 6th, 2024: Verification of candidates' credentials. Councillorship candidates will be vetted at various Local Government Headquarters, while Chairmanship candidates will be vetted at the ENSIEC headquarters in Enugu.
September 9th-10th, 2024: Political parties will receive the lists of qualified and unqualified candidates.
September 11th-12th, 2024: Affected political parties are allowed to replace unqualified candidates, and submit the names of party agents with passport photographs attached.
September 7th-20th, 2024: The campaign period for candidates and their parties, which must conclude by 6:00 PM on September 19th, 2024.
September 21st, 2024: Election Day, with voters’ accreditation and voting taking place between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
September 28th, 2024: A potential run-off election, if necessary.
The court's ruling is expected to have a significant impact on the electoral process in Enugu State, as political parties and candidates must now accelerate their campaign activities and finalize their preparations within the shortened timeline. The shift in the election date has also sparked discussions among political observers and stakeholders regarding its potential effects on voter turnout and election outcomes. While the new election date approaches, all eyes will be on ENSIEC and the participating political parties to see how they adapt to these changes and ensure a smooth electoral process in line with the court's directives.
