A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki on Tuesday sacked all the 13 local government chairmen, vice Chairmen and councillors elected in last year’s council elections in the state.

The court, in a judgment delivered on the suit filed by one of the candidates in the election, Mr Alieze Nweka of Ohaukwu local government area, ruled that the open ballot system used in the conduct of the exercise was inconsistent with the electoral law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It consequently nullified the council elections conducted across the thirteen council areas September 28, 2013.

The trial Judge, Justice Mauren Onyetenu further ruled that the Ebonyi State House of Assembly which adopted the open ballot system for the acted ultra vires.

She said the amendment of the local government law by the House was unconstitutional.