The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC, has fixed July 6, 2024 for the conduct of the Local Government Council election in the state.
Recall that Governor Hyacinth Alia inaugurated the Commission on March 29, 2024, charging them to quickly kick-start the processe of conducting a free, fair and credible election in the state.
The Chairman of the Commission, John Chen made this known Friday during a stakeholders meeting called by the Commission in Makurdi to formally release its action plan and Local Government election time-table.
He said the Commission was determined to conduct a free, fair and credible election that would meet the expectations of all stakeholders in the state.
The Chairman also announced plans by the Commission to create new Council Wards in the state to increase the number from the present 276.
Chen said: Today's gathering marks a significant step towards fulfilling that promise. We are here to unveil the official election timetable and schedule of activities for the upcoming Local Government Council elections in Benue State.
"This comprehensive document outlines the critical milestones the BSIEC will undertake to ensure a free and fair electoral process.
"The BSIEC recognizes the vital role each stakeholder plays in ensuring successful elections. These stakeholders includes; political parties, civil society organizations, the media, and of course, our esteemed security agencies, that is why you are all invited to witness this momentous occasion.
"This commission will not organize voodoo or sham elections. We know the dangers of organizing sham elections which only leads in the enthronement of mediocres and people of dubious acceptability into positions of leadership, ultimately leading to dismal governance."
The Chairman noted that "alongside the election time-table, the BSIEC is proud to announce its intention for the creation of additional Council Wards within Benue State.
"This initiative is in recognition of the exponential growth in the demography, social, political and economic activities at that tier of Government. We believe that additional council wards will provide a more equitable representation at the grassroots level, thereby bringing governance and the dividends of democracy closer to the people."
Addressing the gathering, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Prof. Sam Egwu noted that both INEC and BSIEC had alot of things to do together "in terms of sharing notes and peer reviewing."
He urged the BSIEC to sell itself to the stakeholders by organising free, fair and credible elections in the state saying "if you conduct a free and fair election, in the Local Government Councils you have set the foundation for other elections."
Those who spoke including representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, All Progressives Congress, APC, Civil Society Organisations, CSO, among others urged the commission to conduct elections that would be adjudged free, fair and credible by all the parties.
No comments:
Post a Comment