TWE News desk

The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASEIC) has ramped up preparations for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for the 9th of October 2024. In a series of stakeholder meetings, the commission outlined its strategies to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.

Addressing stakeholders, in Jos, on Thursday, PLASEIC Chairman Hon. Plangji Daniel Cishak underscored the importance of a well-trained workforce and detailed strategic planning. “The success of any electoral process hinges on the capacity of its workforce, the preparedness of key stakeholders, and the implementation of sound strategies,” he said.

Cishak emphasized that the commission had developed comprehensive training manuals to guide every stage of the election, providing consistency and standardization across all training sessions.

He revealed that top officials have undergone rigorous training to manage the election process while upholding ethical standards. Additionally, other key personnel, including those overseeing electoral logistics, voter registration, polling units, and communication protocols, were trained to ensure smooth operations on election day.

PLASEIC also partnered with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) to provide advanced training for the management team, incorporating international best practices. This collaboration has focused on addressing potential electoral challenges, risk mitigation, and managing unforeseen circumstances. “The introduction of the Voter Verification System (VVS) device, a first for PLASEIC, is part of our effort to ensure a credible election and mitigate electoral fraud,” Cishak added.

Training efforts extended beyond PLASEIC staff to include civil society organizations, political party leaders, and party agents. These sessions were aimed at sensitizing participants on their roles and responsibilities in the electoral process.

Cishak noted that many party leaders were previously “ill-informed” about their duties, leading to the need for specialized training. Electoral observers and security personnel were also trained, with a focus on inclusion, accessibility, and security, particularly for marginalized groups such as people with disabilities.

As the elections draw nearer, PLASEIC is finalizing strategies to ensure transparency and credibility in the electoral process. “Through this training initiative and strategic efforts, I am confident we have built a capable electoral workforce ready for the forthcoming elections to be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner,” Cishak concluded.

Legal Preparedness and Candidate Screening

Hon. Pam Gyang Davou, Secretary of the Commission, highlighted the legal reforms undertaken by PLASEIC to align its operations with the 2022 Electoral Act. “When we were newly commissioned in June, we discovered that the existing PLASEIC law was not in sync with the new electoral act, so we worked to amend the law to ensure it reflects the current legal requirements,” he explained.

Davou revealed that a legal team, led by Bar. Itodo in collaboration with YIAGA Africa, drafted a new bill that was successfully passed by the Plateau State House of Assembly. This new law now guides the commission’s activities for the upcoming election.

To ensure the credibility of the electoral process, the commission conducted an extensive screening exercise, which lasted eight days. A total of 75 candidates from 10 political parties were screened for chairmanship positions across the state’s 17 local government areas, while 788 candidates were screened for the 335 councilor positions. Additionally, the Plateau State Chief Judge has set up a tribunal to handle any disputes that may arise during or after the elections.

Transportation and Logistics Planning

Meanwhile, PLASEIC has taken steps to address logistical challenges, particularly in the transportation of election materials. Hon. Audu Ado Adere, Commissioner for Logistics, noted that many of the commission’s vehicles were grounded when the current administration took office.

“We had to consult key stakeholders in the transportation sector, including the Road Transport Workers, Plateau Riders, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, to ensure we have reliable vehicles and drivers for the election day,” Adere said.

He emphasized the importance of vehicle inspections to avoid delays, ensuring that voting materials arrive at polling units on time. While PLASEIC currently has a large truck, four Isuzu Hilux vehicles, and a Ford bus, Adere stressed that these are insufficient for the scale of the election and that external support is necessary.

In addition to transporting election materials, arrangements have been made for the movement of electoral observers and security personnel from other states to ensure their safe arrival and presence during the elections.

As the election date approaches, PLASEIC is intensifying its efforts to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly and securely. With advanced training, legal reforms, logistical planning, and stakeholder collaboration, the commission aims to deliver an election that reflects democratic principles and upholds the integrity of the electoral process.