by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
JOS: The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) says only 7 political parties have so far indicated interest in the forthcoming Local Government Elections in the state.
Chairman of the Commission, Plangji Daniel Cishak, disclosed this on the revised notice of the local government elections, 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.”
He announced 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 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 same and observation of same by the Commission will be on:
Friday, 29th July, 2024 to Thursday, 8th August, 2024,
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, Collection of Nomination Forms for Candidates by Political Parties:
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:
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, 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 last day for the Withdrawal by Candidate(s)/Replacement of withdrawn Candidate(s) by Political Parties:
Monday, 9th September, 2024, Same date
(Section 27(2) of the PLASIEC Law, 2016).
According to him, 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 Candidates:
Monday, 16th September, 2024, Same date
(Section 27-28 of the PLASIEC Law, 2016).
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, so as to organize, undertake and supervise a free, fair, credible and transparent Local Government Councils Election in Plateau State.
“The adjustments were to ensure that the election process continues 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,” he said, while reassuring the public and all stakeholders that, “The rescheduling will not affect fairness or transparency of the election process. Our focus is on providing a level-playing field and equitable opportunity for all parties involved.”