INEC To Conduct Re-Run Polls In Anambra On Feb 15

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Februar 15 for re-run elections in Anambra South Senatorial District,? Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal constituency and Idemili South state constituency.

Mr Isiavwe Ena, the INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, announced in Awka on Wednesday that the repeat polls were ordered by? the Court of Appeal, Enugu.

He said the 15 political parties that contested the April 2011 polls in the constituencies would participate in the contests.

Mr Andy Uba of? PDP was declared the winner of the senatorial election and? sworn in but his victory was challenged by Mr Chuma Nzeribe of APGA, a candidate in the election.

The Anambra State election tribunal in Awka, led by Justice Onajite Kuejubola, dismissed Nzeribe’s petition for failure to prove allegations of malpractices against the respondents.

Nzeribe, however, appealed the judgment at the Court of Appeal, which ordered a fresh contest.

On the other hand, Mrs Uche Ekwunife of APGA in the April election for? Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal constituency was returned elected by INEC but? Mr Dozie Nwankwo of ACN challenged her victory.

The election tribunal, which handled the petition nullified Ekwunife’s victory and the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment and ordered a repeat poll.

In Idemili South state constituency, Mr Uche Ezekwelu of APGA, was returned elected by INEC but the tribunal awarded victory to Mr Ebele Obi of ACN.

However, the Court of Appeal discarded the verdict of the lower court and ordered a fresh election.