Since the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) that it would conduct supplementary elections in some parts of Anambra state, legal practitioners have begun to examine the legality of that declaration.
Adding that Section 23 of the Electoral Act provides “where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and there is reason to believe that serious breach of peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, INEC may postpone the election, and shall in respect of the area, or areas concerned appoint another date for the holding of the postponed election provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable”.
Some legal practitioners are divided whether this section applies in the Anambra polls.
A lawyer, Jiti Ogunye has said that according to the electoral act its strange to see INEC say they want to conduct a supplementary election when elections have been held; stating that this is not the full election which would involve elections into the House of Assembly but a solo election, insisting “there is nothing like supplementary elections”.
Some of them who spoke to our judiciary correspondent, Shola Shoyele are of the opinion that “supplementary election” seems to be an addition to our political language.
