ABUJA – Wednesday 4 August 2021: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lifted the ban on campaigns for the Anambra State Governorship Election to start August 8, 2021, three clear months to the opening of polls on November 6, 2021.

The commission has also urged the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to wade into the recourse of its members for forum shopping as it affects the Governorship Primaries of some of the political parties in Anambra State.

Barrister Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee disclosed this while addressing stakeholders at the Implementation meeting of the Voter Education and Publicity Department of the Commission in Awka, Anambra State ahead of the November 6 Election.

He said the Commission is finding it extremely difficult to adhere to its own regulations because of the plethora of orders being issued by courts of coordinate jurisdictions, saying some of the orders have a tendency to erode the powers of the Commission as it affects timelines and activities of INEC.

“The Commission has variously and consistently complained at the frequency and consistency with which courts of coordinate jurisdiction from different jurisdictions all over Nigeria assumed jurisdiction and delivered judgements and issued orders with far-reaching implications on the conduct of the Anambra State Governorship election.

“Some of the Orders have the tendency of eroding the powers of the Commission and compromising its independence, powers and timelines for the conduct of the upcoming election. In our Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of Elections as well as the Timetable and Schedule of Activities, the Commission issues access code to the National Chairman of Political Parties with which they upload the Personal Particulars and List of their candidates electronically.

“This obviated the demonstrations, fights and violence normally witnessed in the premises of the Commission by different factions of Political Parties and the National and State Branches of Political Parties.