Plateau State Independent Electoral
Commission (PLASIEC) Chairman, Hon. Plangji Daniel Cishak, assures stakeholders
of preparedness for October 9, 2024, Local Government Elections in all 17 LGAs.
"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with support from an NGO and the Commission's Legal Team, has repealed the out-dated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
