Dr. Oliver Tersoo Agundu, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Plateau State, delivered a compelling paper on “Administrative Procedures and Election Management” at a two-day workshop organized by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC). The workshop, held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru from September 17-18, 2024, aimed to strengthen the Plateau State Advisory Consultative Committee on Election Security (PLACCES) ahead of the local government elections on October 9, 2024.
In his presentation, Dr. Agundu highlighted the shared constitutional responsibilities of INEC and PLASIEC in conducting elections, emphasizing that while INEC handles federal and state elections, PLASIEC focuses on local elections, which tend to be more emotionally charged due to the closeness of candidates to the electorate. He stressed the need for meticulous planning and execution of election logistics, drawing from INEC’s experiences during the 2023 general elections.
“Local government elections, being closer to the people, are often more demanding and emotionally charged, as politics is inherently local. This places an extra burden on PLASIEC to ensure smooth and credible elections, especially at a time when more people are interested in the outcome of local elections, given the increased resources directed to local governments,” Dr. Agundu remarked.
He further emphasized the multi-stakeholder nature of election administration, noting that successful elections require the cooperation and efficiency of all actors, including security agencies and election staff. Reflecting on the 2023 general election, Dr. Agundu pointed out the importance of adhering to timelines and responsibilities to ensure smooth operations.
PLASIEC Chairman, Hon. Plangji Cishak, in his address, underscored the commission’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful and credible election. He outlined the commission’s efforts, including reviewing the 2016 PLASIEC law to align with the 2022 Electoral Act, deploying technology for election management, and renovating critical infrastructure. Hon. Cishak also announced that PLASIEC had completed 90% of the necessary procurement for the elections, with non-sensitive materials ready for distribution from September 23, 2024.
The workshop, which also featured a presentation by Professor Chris Kwaja on “Election Security and the Security of Elections,” concluded with an interactive session aimed at fostering collaboration between security agencies, electoral bodies, and stakeholders to ensure a credible election on October 9, 2024.
