The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC), has fixed August 31, 2024, for the conduct of local government elections in the state.
Chairman of the NASIEC, Barrister Ayuba Wandai Usman, disclosed this during a meeting with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), at the headquarters of the commission, on Thursday in Lafia.
Barrister Wandai said it has become necessary because the tenure of the present crop of elected local government officials, would expire by Monday, 7th October 2024, having spent three years in office as provided by the extant laws governing the activities of the commission.
The chairman said the meeting with IPAC, was the first in the series of meetings to be held by the commission, because as key stakeholders, IPAC has demonstrated maturity and decorum in its affairs, thereby making Nasarawa State conducive for all stakeholders to partake without hindrance, in the election process.
He added that IPAC’s continued belief in the ability of the commission to conduct free, fair and credible elections, has continued to challenge NASIEC to redouble its efforts in ensuring that it puts in place credible strategies in election management that will ensure free, fair, transparent and credible election.
Accordingly, Wandai said NASIEC is issuing an election notice commencing on Thursday, 31st August, copies of which would be pasted across all the 3256 polling units of the state.
“As you are aware, the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission is a law-abiding institution that has continued to promote adherence to laws, rules and regulations governing the conduct of local government elections in Nasarawa State.
“You will recall that the Commission conducted the last Local Government Councils Elections on Wednesday 6th October 2021 and the present executives were sworn-in and inaugurated on Friday 8th October 2021 for a tenure of three (3) years which will end on Monday 7th October, 2024.
“Based on the Extant Laws, the Commission has issued a Notice of Election for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Election today being 31st August, 2023.
“The Commission has based on the powers conferred on it fixed Saturday 31st August 2024 for the conduct of the election,” he said.
Present at the meeting were the Secretary of the commission, Dahiru Hudu Musa, Mohammed Aliyu Gayam, Commissioner, Works and Transport, Samuel Jacob Tsebe, Commissioner of Public Affairs and ICT, Usman Ibrahim Galle, Commissioner of Legal Service and NGOs, Abubakar Bala Yarima, Commissioner Human Resources and Management Service, and Ishaq Muhammad Baba, Commissioner Electoral Operations, as well as seven directors of the commission.
Also present were 11 members of the IPAC from the state, led by its Chairman, Hon. Cletus Oga, who doubles as the State Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
. TheWitness
