In a significant stride towards enhancing the integrity of local elections, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) recently conducted a capacity-building workshop for the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) members and staff. The four-day workshop, titled “Introduction to Electoral Administration and Operations for PLASIEC Staff,” aimed to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills to conduct transparent and credible local government elections.
Country Director of IFES, Seray Jah, emphasized the pivotal role of an efficient Electoral Management Body (EMB) in the success of elections. In his opening remarks, Jah encouraged participants to approach their responsibilities with innovation, diligence, and strict adherence to the rule of law to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election process. He reiterated IFES’s commitment to providing comprehensive training to State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) across the country, leaving no stone unturned in their mission.
PLASIEC Chairman, Plangi Cishak, expressed his optimism about the workshop’s impact. He praised the quality of interactions and the knowledge gained, asserting that under his leadership, the commission is determined to conduct an exemplary election. Cishak highlighted the workshop as a blueprint for other SIECs to follow.
The workshop featured various paper presentations and extensive deliberations between IFES facilitators and PLASIEC staff. These sessions underscored the commission’s commitment to continuous training to stay abreast of evolving electoral trends. One of the workshop’s key objectives was to develop an Election Project Plan (EPP) to guide the upcoming election period.
At the conclusion of the training, participants received certificates of completion. They acknowledged the significant impact of the training and expressed their readiness for a successful local government election on October 9. This initiative by IFES and PLASIEC marks a crucial step towards strengthening electoral processes and fostering democratic governance at the local level.
