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Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved over N500f million budget for the forthcoming local government and councillor-ship elections in the state.
The approval followed a request by the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission(EBSIEC) and Governor Francis Nwifuru.
The Speaker, Moses Odunwa, during a plenary read the letter from Governor Nwifuru requesting the approval of N518 million budgeted for the election scheduled for July 20.
He said the proposal includes the payment of clerks, ad hoc staff as well as pre-election training.
Some of the House members, including the Deputy Whip, Arinze-Lukas Chukwu, representing Ishelu South State constituency; Onyebuchi Ogbadu of Ivo State constituency and Esther Agwu of Ohaukwu North State constituency, urged their colleagues to support and approve the EBSIEC proposal for immediate commencement of the electoral activities for smooth and successful elections.
Also, Abiri Godwin Abiri, representing Izzi West constituency, and Chikezie Igu from Ohazara East constituency, said the election, to produce successors before the expiration of the tenure of the present local government chairmen and ward councillors instead of alternatively appointing unelected individuals to the positions, was in tune of democratic principles to promote orderliness and speedy development in the hinterlands.
After debate on the matter by the lawmakers, Speaker Odunwa put the motion to vote and it was unanimously adopted.
He urged EBSIEC to ensure free, fair and credible polls to reflect the will of the electorate.
