From Esther Akaa , Lafia
The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) has urged critical stakeholders to join the commission in ensuring the conduct of credible and transparent local government elections in the state.
Chairman of NASIEC, Barr Ayuba Wandai- Usman made the call on Tuesday while briefing Journalists in Lafia.
According to him, NASIEC will continue to uphold its statutory responsibility of conducting local government elections, urging relevant stakeholders including Journalists to join the commission in ensuring that elections are conducted in a free and fair environment.
Barr Wandai-Usman revealed that the Commission has fixed November 14, for the conduct of a bye-election for Gangaren Tudu Ward, Keffi Local Goverment Area (LGA), following the recent death of the councillor representing the ward, Hon Adamu Saleh.
“The commission has, by the powers conferred on it therefore, fixed Saturday 14th November, 2020 for the Councillorship bye- election in the ward.
“Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, NASIEC, is elaborately preparing to conduct a free , fair and credible election. This process is a collective one.
“We will give all political parties and their candidates a level playing ground to test their acceptability and popularity.
“The Commission seems it very necessary to invite critical stakeholders and partners in this process, to participate in making the process credible. Your electoral awareness messages in this regard will be highly valued,” he said.
He further stated that the commission has slated October 19, 2020 to meet with all political parties, while the lifting of ban on party campaigns would also be effected.
The NASIEC boss added that steps were already in place to address issues where political parties withdraw from contests without genuine reason, saying they have already embarked on confidence building to avoid such occurrence.
Barr Wandai-Usman also disclosed that the tenure of the present local government chairmen in the state will expire in May, 2021, adding that only political parties who fulfil the stipulated electoral guidelines would be allowed to participate in the forthcoming bye-election.
He, therefore promised to partner the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) towards ensuring adequate publicity of the activities of the commission.
In his remark, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr Isaac Ukpoju assured of adequate coverage of the commission’s activities through objective and constructive reportage.
