Why We Suspended Elections For Local Government Areas In Plateau Till Further Notice—PLASIEC
Yakubu Busari
The Plateau state independent Electoral Commission, PLAISEC has suspended the Plateau State Local Government election indefinitely, this was disclosed by the executive chairman of the commission, Febian Ntung Ari where he said security threat pushed for the indefinite suspension of the election scheduled for 17th February, 2018 .
Ari gave this news to journalists at the PLASIEC headquarters in Jos during a press conference where said that security reports has it that some suspected criminals plans to attack Plateau state if the election goes on.
He said they members of the board of PLASIEC since 29th November, 2017 when they were inaugurated has visited all stakeholders.
Ari told journalists that the commission invited all the 8 political parties who have adhered to the electoral law, as they were dully screened and submitted indicating interest to participate actively.
The following are the 8 political parties ;ADP 3 chairmanship ,18 Councillorship ,APC 17 chairmanship ,372 Councillorship ,APGA 1,Councillorship, DPP 1,Councillorship ,PDP 17 chairmanship ,325 Councillorship, Green party 1 Councillorship ,SDP 1 Councillorship, and YDP 1 Councillorship all were issue with certificates of return for participating in the primaries .
According to him, the parties have been given the go ahead to campaign, for us in PLASIEC all our materials including sensitive materials are stock inside the warehouse.
He explained further that all the vehicles have been serviced ready for movement and their ICT equipment are all functioning ready for collection.
We are ready for the conduct of the election the time table was released and staffs was to be trained on the 25th to 27th.
The chairman noted that 7,800 staff is to be engaged for the election when they received communication in the commission on the prevailing security threat which “we can’t guarantee security during the election.
“As the security advise us to shift the date for the election, we want to adhere strictly to the notice, because we don’t have the control of the security so we are not going to risk the lives of other people including children.
“However ,on receiving the notice the commission immediately summoned all the 8 political parties for meeting where they were briefed pending when the security improve as Plateau state is one of flash points and our hands are tied and we promise to obey the security advice ,he added.
Mr Ari took journalists round all the vehicles, equipment, and sensitive materials to be used for the forthcoming LGAs, PLASIEC solicited the cooperation of media to help spread the information.
He maintained that as soon the commission receives clarification they will fix a date to conduct the election, the commission remains unshakable to deliver free and fairs election to the people of Plateau state.
