by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) says it is hosting the 13th National Delegates Conference of the ‘Forum of Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria’ (FOSIECON).
Chairman of PLASIEC, Plangji Daniel Cishak, said the 3-day event is scheduled to take place, from the 21st to the 23rd of May, 2025, in Jos, Plateau State, the Home of Peace and Tourism.
He said, “The theme for this year’s conference is both timely and compelling – ‘Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.’ It is a theme that calls for sober reflection, informed debate, and actionable outcomes.”
Accordingly, he said, they are expecting no fewer than 304 delegates drawn from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, adding that, “these will include Chairmen, Commissioners and Secretaries of various State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).”
He explained that, the opening ceremony will be held under the distinguished chairmanship of His Majesty, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, whose leadership continues to serve as a source of institutional wisdom and moral direction.
“While in addition, we are expecting three serving governors, representatives of the Forum of Nigerian House of Assembly Speakers, and members of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters.
“Their participation underscores the national significance of the issues on the table and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening local governance through credible elections.
“We are also grateful for the support of DAI International Development in working with FOSIECON and other institutions to advance electoral reforms, civic engagement, and institutional resilience,” he stressed.
“As we prepare to welcome the nation to Plateau, it is also fitting to reflect on the deliberate steps we have taken within the Commission to strengthen our institutional capacity.”
He noted that, “Beyond the conduct of elections, PLASIEC has invested in expanding its infrastructure and equipping its offices to ensure readiness for electoral duties at all times.
“More importantly, we have prioritized the development of our human capital – organizing targeted training programmes, workshops, aimed at equipping our staff with the requisite knowledge and skills for credible electoral administration.
“These measures are grounded in our belief that sustainable electoral reform begins from within.
“At the heart of our preparations for this conference and, indeed, in all our undertakings, are the core values that define PLASIEC. These values are not just aspirational statements – they are guiding principles woven into the fabric of our work.
“We are committed to integrity, holding ourselves to the highest standards of honesty, fairness, and electoral justice. Our processes are governed by transparency and accountability, ensuring that the public can trust not just the outcomes but the steps taken to arrive at them,” he stated.
According to him, “We are guided by conviction, standing firmly on democratic principles and the rule of law, independent in our decision-making and resolute in defending the truth.
“Inclusivity is also a foundational belief; our systems are designed to give voice to all, especially those historically excluded, while fostering internal collaboration and teamwork.”
Hon. Plangji further noted that, “We strive towards progressive excellence by embracing innovation, adopting global best practices, and continuously improving how we conduct elections.
“Every action we take is anchored in legal frameworks, reinforcing our adherence to justice, fairness, and institutional credibility.
“This conference is more than a gathering of officials; it is a platform for learning, self-assessment, and shared growth. It offers electoral commissions an opportunity to engage in peer review, examine challenges, share innovations, and chart a collective path forward.
“While central to the conversation will be the future of SIECs themselves – and some have questioned their independence – we at PLASIEC believe that scrapping them is unconstitutional and catastrophic to the collective aspirations of our people for the creation of strong democratic structures at the grassroots.
“Instead, we must pursue reform, capacity-building, and the standardization of processes across the country,” he noted.