"At the Stakeholders Engagement Meeting held earlier today, September 26, 2024, at Jos' Tamarald Event Center, the Chairman stressed the importance of prioritizing Plateau state's interests above political party considerations."
"We must prioritize getting it right at the grassroots level, because that's where the elected representatives are closest to the people."
"Hon. Cishak announced that the Commission has begun hiring Adhoc staff for the upcoming exercise and has launched a website for online registration. Additionally, the Commission has maintained open communication and collaboration with IPAC state members."
"Within just three months of taking office, they've successfully built a strong rapport with election observers."
The Chairman passionately declared that the pursuit of power must never come at the cost of human life in Plateau state. Instead, the focus should be on ensuring a tranquil and trustworthy electoral process, setting a shining example for others to emulate."
"The Chairman seized the opportunity to appeal to all individuals to join forces and strive towards a common goal: the successful completion of the Local Government Council elections."
Among those who make a presentations on their level preparedness where, the Secretary of the Commission, commissioner electoral operations, commissioner of transportation and logistics, commissioner of trainings, commissioner of voter education and observation, ICT (VVS)
Hon. Barr. Pam Davou, Commission Secretary, informed the gathering that the Plateau State House of Assembly, with support from an NGO and the Commission's Legal Team, has repealed the out-dated Local Government Law and enacted a new one aligned with the Electoral Act.
This development enables the conduct of the elections. Notably, 45 candidates are contesting Chairman Positions, while 788 are vying for Councillorship seats across the state's 17 Local Government Areas. Davou emphasized the importance of a sound legal framework, ensuring the election's integrity.
Meanwhile, Hon. Audu Ado Adere, Transport Committee Chairman, confirmed that the Commission has engaged transport stakeholders and collaborated with VIO and Road Safety Commission to verify vehicle roadworthiness.
Goodwill messages came from the representative of IPAC, Chairman CAN, JNI represented by the PRO, CSO, Commissioner of Police, representative of the Gwom Gwong Jos, the Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly and the Secretary to Plateau state government who represented the Governor of Plateau His Excellency Barrister Caleb Mutfwang.
SPEECH BY CHAIRMAN PLATEAU STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION PLASIEC, PLANGJI CISHAK AT THE STAKEHOLDERS MEETING ON THE LEVEL OF PREPAREDNESS FOR THE OCTOBER 9 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IN PLATEAU STATE*
Good morning distinguished guests, stakeholders, and members of the press. It is with a deep sense of responsibility and gratitude that I stand before you today, as we approach the pivotal local government elections scheduled for October 9, 2024. This election is not just another event on our calendar; it represents a vital opportunity for the citizens of Plateau State to exercise their democratic rights and shape the future of their communities.
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to our Executive Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, for entrusting my team and i with the immense responsibility of overseeing this crucial electoral process. This appointment comes with a solemn promise to justify the confidence placed in us, and I assure you that we are committed to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election. Once again, we commend the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and other members for the endorsement of the Governor's desire for us to serve in this capacity. Our speedy screening was indicative of the vision of the legislative arm to join hands with the executive and move the state into a glorious future.
Since our swearing-in, we have prioritized engaging with stakeholders across all 17 local government areas. This initiative was essential for us to gather insights and input from the people of Plateau State, helping us to understand their expectations and concerns. I firmly believe that this grassroots approach is foundational in building a robust democratic framework that reflects the true voice of our people.
One of our first actions was to set a firm date for the election. We understand the importance of certainty in this process, and since that day, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to uphold this date. Following this, our staff participated in intensive training facilitated by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). This training is crucial for ensuring that our personnel are equipped with the best practices necessary for conducting a transparent and credible electoral process.
To further enhance our preparedness, we have implemented ongoing training sessions for all stakeholders involved in the electoral process. Key officials have undergone master training, which is being cascaded to all staff members. This strategy has been instrumental in bridging the gap between our appointed officials and the core civil servants already in place, fostering a collaborative environment that is essential for success.
In our pursuit of transparency, we have announced the recruitment of ad hoc staff who will serve as election officials. This decision underscores our commitment to inclusivity and fairness, ensuring that all qualified individuals have an equal opportunity to contribute to this vital process. We are in constant communication with the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to reassure all political parties that our commitment to a credible election is unwavering.
This election will also mark a significant milestone in the history of PLASIEC, as we are introducing electronic components for the first time, including a state-of-the-art Voter Verification Software developed exclusively by our ICT team. This innovation is designed to ensure that only eligible voters can cast their votes, a crucial step toward making sure that the voices of the Plateau people are heard and respected. Massive infrastructural investments have been made to cater for the effective deployment of this innovation.
We have established contacts with various election observers who will monitor the electoral process, providing an additional layer of transparency and credibility. In a strategic effort to secure our election, we have inaugurated the Plateau State Advisory Consultative Committee on Election Security (PLACCES). This initiative is critical to ensuring the safety of citizens and election officials alike. We echo the sentiments of former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who reminded us that no ambition is worth the blood of any man. We are committed to ensuring a peaceful election, knowing that there will be life beyond this day.
As we continue our preparations, a mock election is scheduled for September 28, 2024. This exercise will serve as a test run for the Voter Verification Software and will help us identify any potential challenges before the actual Election Day. Our goal is to ensure that everything runs seamlessly on October 9, and we are dedicated to learning from this mock election to enhance our processes.
Our commitment to creating stable democratic institutions at the grassroots level aligns perfectly with Governor Mutfwang’s vision. He has consistently emphasized that every vote counts and we are determined to ensure that every citizen of Plateau State has the opportunity to make their voice heard.
We are acutely aware of the historical context that has shaped perceptions of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in Nigeria. Many citizens have lost confidence due to past irregularities, and we recognize the responsibility we have to rewrite this narrative. During our outreach, citizens have expressed their desire for us to "write our names in gold" by conducting credible elections. This promise weighs heavily on us as we approach October 9, and we are committed to fulfilling it. Our achievements have already gained national recognition. PLASIEC has been recently recommended as one among the six other pilot SIECs in Nigeria. Other SIECs are expected to begin using the template we have implemented as a model to strengthen their operations.
In conclusion, I call upon all stakeholders, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, security, religious leaders, and the media to join hands with us in this crucial endeavor. Your support is invaluable in ensuring that we achieve our goal of a transparent and credible electoral process. Together, we can restore the faith of the Plateau people in their democratic institutions and lay the groundwork for a brighter future.
Thank you all for your attention, and may the Almighty God grant us success as we embark on this significant journey together. Let us ensure that the spirit of sportsmanship and cooperation prevails as we head into this electoral season.
Plateau State is ours, and together, we can ensure that it remains a place of hope, unity, and progress for generations to come.
E-signed
Plangji Cishak
Chairman
PLASIEC
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