In a strategic move to bolster local democracy, Yiaga Africa recently visited the newly appointed Chairman and Commissioners of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) to discuss ways to improve the quality of local government elections. This visit is part of Yiaga Africa’s ongoing initiative aimed at strengthening state electoral commissions across Nigeria.
Hon. Plangji Daniel Cishak, Chairman of PLASIEC, warmly welcomed the delegation from Yiaga Africa, emphasizing the importance of their visit at a pivotal time as election activities ramp up. He expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting that it would address existing challenges and enhance electoral processes.
Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, outlined the expectations of Plateau State voters, emphasizing the need for timely and efficient election procedures, integrity in vote counting, and resilience against political interference. He highlighted Yiaga Africa’s commitment to supporting electoral commissions through legal reviews, public engagement strategies, and capacity building in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
Professor Nnamdi Aduba, a board member of Yiaga Africa, reiterated the importance of maintaining and empowering state electoral commissions as a cornerstone of local democracy. He praised the quality and composition of the new PLASIEC board, expressing confidence in their ability to conduct credible elections.
Closing the event, Barr. Pam Gyang Davou, PLASIEC Secretary, expressed deep gratitude to the Yiaga Africa team and highlighted the significant contributions of Professor Aduba. “We want to appreciate you for coming this morning. We look forward to a robust partnership with you, and I’m sure you will leave here with the confidence that this team will be a departure from the teams that were here before,” said Gyang. He reassured that the commission is dedicated to delivering elections that every Plateau resident can be proud of, with prayers for divine guidance and continued success for Yiaga Africa.
The meeting concluded with a strong commitment to ongoing collaboration, aimed at ensuring transparent and democratic local government elections in Plateau State.
