The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has successfully issued certificates of return to the remaining nine councillors following the conclusion of rerun elections in six Local Government Areas across nine wards. This marks the final stage of the electoral process, which PLASIEC Chairman, Hon. Plangji Daniel Cishak, described as a significant achievement for the state’s democratic journey.
Speaking during the ceremony, Hon. Cishak expressed deep appreciation to key stakeholders who contributed to the success of the elections, including the media, security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and political parties. He emphasized that the media played an instrumental role in keeping the public informed and encouraging confidence in the electoral process.
The Chairman highlighted several innovations introduced by PLASIEC, particularly the voter verification system (VVS), the first of its kind for local government elections in Plateau. While the VVS faced technical challenges in some areas, it was successfully deployed in the majority of polling units, and Cishak affirmed that the system will be further refined for future use. He attributed some of the difficulties to the “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) system used, which relied on devices from external parties that were not adequately tested.
Hon. Cishak also credited the success of the elections to the effective collaboration with security agencies under the Plateau Advisory Consultative Committee on Election Security. For the first time since 1999, elections in the state were free from major security incidents. He further praised the involvement of state tertiary institutions and international partners, particularly the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and YIAGA Africa, whose support enhanced the integrity and legal framework of the elections.
Looking ahead, PLASIEC has set its sights on early preparations for the next election cycle. The Chairman stressed the importance of continuous improvement, ensuring future elections build on the successes of this cycle while addressing the challenges encountered.
Cishak concluded by thanking Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Plateau State House of Assembly, and all critical stakeholders for their support. He announced that the Commission would soon represent Plateau at international electoral forums, including an upcoming event in the United States, as a model of successful local governance.
