From Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) says only seven political parties have so far indicated an interest in the forthcoming Local Government Election in the state.
The Chairman of the Commission, Plangji Daniel Cishak, disclosed this on the revised notice of the local government election while briefing Newsmen in Jos on Thursday.
According to him, the latest events have made it necessary for them to adjust activities in the build-up to the elections, adding that, this was to ensure that Political parties that have earlier scheduled their Primaries and have notified the Commission within the period of protest and curfew in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis are not disenfranchised.
He said the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) wishes to notify the leadership of all political parties and the general public that elections shall be conducted in the Seventeen (17) Local Government Councils of Plateau State on Wednesday, 9th October 2024, between 8.00am and 3.00pm.
According to him, all prospective candidates are expected to obtain nomination forms in respect of the election into the offices of Chairmen and Councillors of the 17 Local Government Councils from the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) Headquarters at No.7 John Mark Samchi Road, Jos from Friday, 16th August 2024 to Monday, 19th August 2024 between the hours of 8.00am and 4.00pm daily.
While announcing the breakdown of the Election Timetable and Schedule of Activities as follows,
Publication of Notice of Election Release of Election Timetable Release of Election Guidelines Wednesday, 10th July, 2024 Same date by section 22 of PLASIEC Law, 2016.
According to him, the commencement of Campaign activities, commencement of Campaign by Political Parties Friday, 12th July, 2024 Same date, as determined by the Commission (See Sections 95-97 of the Electoral Act, 2022).
Mr Cishak further disclosed that the conduct of Party Primaries including resolution of disputes arising from the same and observation of same by the Commission will be on Friday, 29th July 2024, to Thursday, 8th August 2024, and Friday, 29th July 2024, to Thursday, 15th August 2024, as determined by the Commission (See Section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022).
According to him, the collection of Nomination Forms for Candidates by Political Parties from Friday 9th August 2024 to Tuesday 13th August 2024 Friday, 16th August 2024 to Monday, 19th August 2024 Section 23 of the PLASIEC Law, 2016
While submission of Nomination Forms for Candidates by Political Parties from Wednesday, 14th August 2024 to Monday, 19th August 2024 Tuesday, 20th August, 2024 to Friday, 23rd August, 2024 Section 23 of the PLASIEC Law, 2016.
He further explained that, the publication of Personal Particulars of Candidates by the Commission
Wednesday, 21st August, 2024 Saturday, 24th August, 2024 Section 23(4) of the PLASIEC Law, 2016, while verification/Screening of Chairmanship Candidates and their Running Mates Thursday, 22nd August 2024 to Saturday, 24th August 2024 Monday, 26th August 2024 to Wednesday, 28th August 2024 Sections 31-32 of the Local Government Law, 2017 and Sections 101-102 of the Electoral Act, 2022
“Verification and Screening of Councillorship Candidates
Monday, 26th August, 2024 to Friday, 30th August, 2024
Thursday, 29th August, 2024 to Monday, 2nd September, 2024 Sections 25-26 of the Local Government Law, 2017 and Sections 101-102 of the Electoral Act, 2022” he said.
“Submission of List of Qualified/Cleared Candidates to the Political Parties by PLASIEC Monday, 2nd September 2024 Tuesday 3rd September 2024 Section 26 of the PLASIEC Law, 2016, Receiving of Appeal Cases by PLASIEC Wednesday, 4th September 2024 Thursday 5th September 2024 Sections 25-26 and 31-32 of the Local Government Law, 2017.
While Hearing of Appeal Cases by PLASIEC will be on
Friday, 6th September, 2024 Saturday, 7th September, 2024 Sections 25-26 and 31-32 of the Local Government Law, 2017 and the last Day for the Withdrawal by Candidate(s)/Replacement of withdrawn Candidate(s) by Political Parties is Monday, 9th September, 2024 Same date as Section 27(2) of the PLASIEC Law, 2016.
According to him, the Substitution of Withdrawn/Uncleared Candidates by Political Parties
Wednesday, 11th September, 2024, same date Section 27(2) of the PLASIEC Law, 2016
He said screening of Substituted Candidates by PLASIEC
Friday, 13th September, 2024 Same date Sections 25-26 and 31-32 of the Local Government Law, 2017, while collection of Nomination Forms by all Cleared-Substituted CandidatesMonday, 16th September 2024 Same date Section 27-28 of the PLASIEC Law, 2016
He submission of Nomination Forms by all Cleared-Substituted Candidates Wednesday, 18th September, 2024, same date Section 27-28 of the PLASIEC Law, 2016 and Publication of Final List of Nominated Candidates by the Commission Saturday, 21st September, 2024 same date Section 26(1) of the PLASIEC Law, 2016.
Also Submission of Names and Addresses of Polling Agents by Political Parties to the Commission
Monday, 23rd September, 2024 Same date Section 36(1) of the PLASIEC Law, 2016, Publication of Official Register of Voters for the Election by the Commission
Monday 16th September, 2024 Same date Section 10(4) of the Electoral Act.
Publication of Notice of Poll by the Commission Monday, 23rd September 2024 Same date Section 37 of the PLASIEC Law, 2016 and the Last Day for Campaigns by Political Parties Monday, 7th October, 2024 (12.00 mid-night) Same date,Sections 94(1) & 96 of the Electoral Act, 2022
ELECTION DAY (8.00am-3.00pm) Wednesday, 9th October, 2024 Same date Section 32 of the PLASIEC Law, 2016, while RUN-OFF/SUPPLEMENTARY ELECTION (IF ANY) Saturday, 12th October, 2024 Same date Section 32 of the PLASIEC Law, 2016.
All political parties and stakeholders are hereby enjoined to give their support and cooperation to PLASIEC to organize, undertake and supervise a free, fair, credible and transparent Local Government Council election in Plateau State.
According to him, the adjustments to ensure that the election process continued smoothly while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the electoral system.
PLASIEC remains fully committed to ensuring that all political parties can participate in the elections without any disadvantage while reassuring the public and all stakeholders that the rescheduling will not affect the fairness or transparency of the election process.
Our focus is on providing a level playing field and equitable opportunity for all parties involved.
