Governor Bassey Otu has assented to the amended Cross River Electoral Law passed by the State House of Assembly.
The 2024 Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2024 was passed into law by the House of Assembly a few weeks ago.
The law made provisions for a four year local government tenure.
Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, Governor Otu commended the Speaker, Hon. Elvert Anyambem, and members of the House of Assembly for their tenacity in coming up with up dated act to usher in new administration at the grassroots.
According to him, local government is very important because of its closeness to the people.
He also commended the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) for their input and preparedness for the election, urging stakeholders to play by the rules.
Speaking, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem said: "What we have done today is in line with the Supreme Court judgment that was passed ab initio, and the Otu-led government being a proactive one, decided that the third tier government must come up almost immediately.
"For some time, we have not had the opportunity of having substantive chairmen at the local level of governance. So, the governor thought it wise that we come up with the conduct of local government election.
"In view of the above, we looked at the CROSIEC laws and amended some grey areas and today it has been signed into law."
Speaker Ayambem disclosed that the tenure of office of chairmen and councillors is now four years as against three years as obtainable at state and at the federal levels and in line with the Supreme Court judgment.
Ndifreke Bassey, Beagle News
