COVID: Ebonyi Governor, Umahi Lifts Ban On Conduct Of LG Polls

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has lifted the ban on the conduct of local government elections in the state.

Governor Umahi who had earlier cancelled the local government polls due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, issued an Executive Order “lifting the suspension of Electoral Processes and Political Activities for the 2020 Local Government Elections in Ebonyi State”.

This was contained in a statement signed and issued in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, by his Commissioner of Information and State Orientation, Barr. Uchenna Orji on Saturday.

“In exercise of his powers under Ebonyi State Coronavirus and other Dangerous (Infectious) Diseases and Related Matters Law, 2020 and Regulations thereof and all other enabling laws thereto, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Nweze Umahi has issued an Executive Order lifting the suspension of Electoral Processes and Political Activities for the 2020 Local Government Elections in Ebonyi State,” Orji said in the statement.

“To this end, therefore, the Governor has directed Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) to immediately commence activities for the conduct of the 2020 Local Government Elections in the State as required by law.”

This came after Governor Umahi directed the reopening of courts in the state from Monday, July 13.

The governor had last week ordered the closure of all courts in the state over the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also directed all judicial officers and their families to immediately undergo COVID-19 tests.