The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) held a crucial stakeholders’ engagement event at the Tamarald Event Centre, Jos, on the level of preparedness for the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for October 9, 2024. The gathering brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, security agencies, political party leaders, civil society organizations, and religious leaders, to discuss the readiness and framework for ensuring a free, fair, and credible election.
The event was graced by a wide range of prominent attendees, including the Special Guest of Honor, Plateau State Executive Governor Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Samuel Jatau. Other notable participants included the Chief Judge of Plateau State, the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, the Gbong Gwom Jos, political party leaders, candidates for the upcoming elections, heads of security agencies, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and journalists.
PLASIEC Chairman, Hon. Plangji Daniel Cishak, opened the engagement by welcoming the distinguished guests and stakeholders. He expressed his deep gratitude to Governor Mutfwang for entrusting PLASIEC with the responsibility of overseeing the local government elections and for the support of the Plateau State House of Assembly. Cishak emphasized that the election was a vital opportunity for Plateau citizens to participate in democracy and shape the future of their communities.
The highlight of the event was a series of presentations from key officials within PLASIEC, offering detailed insights into the commission’s preparations for the upcoming elections:
Pam Gyang, Secretary of the Commission, gave an overview of the Commission’s logistical framework and the importance of maintaining transparency and fairness throughout the electoral process.
Hon. Audu Dorzhi, Commissioner for Electoral Operations, provided a comprehensive update on the electoral operations and the strategies implemented to ensure a seamless voting experience across the 17 local government areas. He outlined the steps taken to ensure that all election materials and personnel would be ready ahead of the election day.
Hon. Ado Adere, Commissioner for Transportation and Logistics, focused on the transportation plans that have been put in place to ensure efficient and timely distribution of election materials. He emphasized the importance of proper coordination and communication to avoid delays on election day.
Associate Professor Longmam Pienswan, Commissioner for Training, discussed the extensive training programs conducted for electoral staff. He detailed how PLASIEC partnered with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) to equip personnel with the necessary skills and best practices to guarantee a transparent electoral process.
Hon. Deborah Akanle, Commissioner for Voter Education and Observation, presented the voter education strategies aimed at increasing voter turnout and ensuring citizens are well-informed about the voting process. She highlighted the use of mass media and grassroots outreach to engage voters.
PLASIEC ICT Team introduced the new Voter Verification System (VVS) with a demonstration, a technological innovation developed by PLASIEC’s ICT department to verify voter eligibility. This system, which will be tested in a mock election on September 28, is designed to ensure that only registered voters can participate, further enhancing the credibility of the election.
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Following the presentations, PLASIEC Chairman Plangji Cishak delivered his official speech. He reiterated the importance of the local government elections for democratic participation and emphasized PLASIEC’s commitment to ensuring a credible election. He praised the efforts made by the Commission to engage stakeholders, train staff, and implement technology to enhance the process. He also expressed optimism that the upcoming election would restore public confidence in the state’s electoral system.
Cishak called for the collaboration of all stakeholders, urging them to join hands with PLASIEC in creating a transparent, peaceful, and fair election. He also introduced the establishment of the Plateau State Advisory Committee on Election Security (PLACCES) to ensure the safety of citizens and electoral officials during the election. He quoted former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying, “No ambition is worth the blood of any citizen,” underscoring the Commission’s commitment to a peaceful election.
Several goodwill messages were delivered by key stakeholders including His Majesty, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba heavily represented, Representatives from CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) and JNI (Jama’atu Nasril Islam), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs ), emphasizing the importance of credible elections and the collective responsibility to ensure the process succeeds
The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), represented by the Secretary, Hon Aminu Hadi commended PLASIEC for its commitment to an inclusive and fair election process. He expressed confidence that the innovations introduced, such as the Voter Verification System, would enhance transparency.
The Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, representing the security agencies, reassured stakeholders of the police force’s readiness to provide adequate security for the elections. He highlighted the collaboration between security agencies and PLASIEC under the framework of PLACCES to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
Samuel Jatau, Secretary to the Plateau State Government, spoke on behalf of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who was unavoidably absent due to his participation in the UN General Assembly in New York. Jatau conveyed the governor’s enthusiasm for the upcoming elections and commended PLASIEC’s preparations. He urged all stakeholders to approach the process with an open mind and work towards unity and progress. Reflecting on past challenges, he called for lessons to be learned and encouraged all parties to avoid mistakes that could divide the people.
Jatau reassured the public that the government is committed to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election. He emphasized the need for all political parties to prepare adequately and campaign fairly, as the true measure of success in an election is through popularity and voter confidence.
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session, allowing stakeholders to raise concerns and seek clarifications. PLASIEC officials responded to various questions on logistics, security, and the Voter Verification System. Following this, the PLASIEC Chairman delivered a vote of thanks, appreciating the presence and contributions of all participants. He reaffirmed PLASIEC’s commitment to a smooth and credible election process and urged all stakeholders to continue their collaboration to achieve success.
The event ended on a positive note, with stakeholders expressing optimism about the upcoming elections and the role they would play in shaping the future of Plateau State.
