Ogunenwa Audu Jos .
Towards Peaceful Plateau State Local Government Elections scheduled for October 9, 2024, Equity International Initiative, a civil society organization dedicated for the promotion of democracy and human rights, has called for a credible and transparent electoral process on the Plateau..
Speaking at a Press Conference in Jos, the organization’s Team Lead, Amb. Chris Iyama,has called voters to engage actively in the electoral process and equally called on the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) to facilitate a smooth election devoid of intimidation, violence, or manipulation.
Iyama underscored the necessity of fairness in the electoral process, highlighting the critical roles of various stakeholders.
“We call on PLASIEC to be diligent in the deployment of materials and ensure that every voter has unhindered access to the polls,” .
Our democracy depends on the integrity of this process, and we urge all political parties and candidates to respect the rules in place and avoid any actions that could compromise the election’s credibility.” He said.
He expressed concerns on potential voter inducement, vote-buying, and the threats of violence on election day.
Iyama added that Equity International Initiative will deploy both stationary and roving observers to monitor the election across all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
“We will have trained observers stationed at various polling units, while roving observers will monitor the collation of results at ward levels. This approach will allow us to compile a detailed report after the election, highlighting areas for improvement in the electoral process,” he noted.
In addition to monitoring, the organization, he called on security personnel assigned to oversee the election to uphold neutrality and professionalism.
Iyama also invited other civil society organizations to assist in ensuring a peaceful and credible election.
“Security personnel must act in accordance with their code of conduct and ensure that any attempt to interfere with the electoral process is swiftly addressed. Their role is to protect voters and the integrity of the elections”.
“We believe that collaboration among civil society groups is key to strengthening democracy. We are committed to working alongside others to ensure that this election sets a standard for fairness and transparency,” he added.
Iyama particularly encouraged young voters to participate in large numbers. “We urge the youth to come out en masse and ensure their votes count. Your participation is crucial for the future of our democracy. Together, we can safeguard the integrity of this election,” he stressed.
Similarly, Dr. Chris Kwaja, the Nigeria Country Director of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), emphasized on the pivotal role local government elections play in Nigeria’s political landscape.
He noted, “In 2019, USIP launched a major report assessing the risks of election violence, and one of the key findings was that unresolved local conflicts often manifest in these elections.”
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He further explained that, “When local government elections are not credible, people wait for the general elections to seek revenge. This is why it is crucial for PLASIEC to ensure a fair, transparent election process at the grassroots level.”
Dr. Kwaja also commended PLASIEC’s initiatives to foster an open and transparent electoral process, including the establishment of a Situation Room for monitoring election activities. “I told the PLASIEC chairman that his integrity is on the line.
“This election is a chance for PLASIEC to demonstrate credibility or risk returning to the negative perceptions of the past. The media and civil society will be instrumental in observing and validating the transparency of this process,” he remarked.
He further underscored the necessity for civil society to remain vigilant, warning that a compromised civil society could undermine the election’s credibility on the Plateau.
Kwararafa Reporters 