Why the City Council special election must wait until October

Several people have asked me why the special election for Bossier City Councilman couldn't be held in the election on April 2nd.  Here is the law regarding that.

RS 18:402

E. Special elections to fill newly created office or vacancy in office. An election to fill a newly created office or vacancy in an existing office, except the office of state legislator or representative in congress, shall be held on the dates fixed by the appropriate authority in the proclamation ordering a special election as follows:
(1) A special primary election shall be held on the first of the following days that is not less than eleven weeks after the date on which the proclamation calling the special primary election was issued:
(a) The second to last Saturday in October, when the special general election is held on the fourth Saturday after the second to last Saturday in October.
(b) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, when the special general election is held on the first Saturday in December.
(c) The first Saturday in April, when the special general election is held on the fourth Saturday after the first Saturday in April or on the second or third Saturday in February during the presidential election year, if the statewide presidential preference primary election is scheduled on the second or third Saturday in February of the presidential election year; however, commencing in 1986 and every fourth year thereafter, this date shall not be applicable in a parish containing a municipality with a population of four hundred seventy-five thousand or more.
(d) The third Saturday in October, when the special general election is held on the fourth Saturday after the third Saturday in October of 1985 and every fourth year thereafter.
(e) The first Saturday in February of an election year for parish and municipal officers in a parish containing a municipality with a population of four hundred seventy-five thousand or more.
(2) A special general election shall be held on one of the following days:
(a) The fourth Saturday after the second to last Saturday in October of 1983 and every fourth year thereafter.
(b) The first Saturday in December of even-numbered years.
(c) The fourth Saturday after the first Saturday in April of any year unless the primary election is held on the second or third Saturday in February; in such case the general election shall be held on the fourth Saturday after the second or third Saturday in February, as the case may be; however commencing in 1986 and every fourth year thereafter, this date shall not be applicable in a parish containing a municipality with a population of four hundred seventy-five thousand or more.
(d) The fourth Saturday after the third Saturday in October of 1985 and every fourth year thereafter.
(e) The fourth Saturday after the first Saturday in February in a parish containing a municipality with a population of four hundred seventy-five thousand or more, when the special primary election in such parish and municipality is held on the first Saturday in February of an election year for parish and municipal officers.
(3) The secretary of state shall not include the name of any candidate on any ballot for a special election to fill a vacancy in any office to which this Subsection is applicable unless such special election has been called in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection and scheduled on one of the dates provided herein. Any elector who is eligible to vote in any such special election may apply for injunctive relief to prohibit the placing of the name of any candidate in an improperly called election on the ballot. Venue for such application shall be in any parish in which the election is called, and the secretary of state shall be the proper party defendant.