Just In: PLASIEC Postpones LG Elections Indefinitely

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), has postponed the earlier scheduled Local Government Councils election indefinitely, citing security reasons.

This was revealed today in Jos at a press conference by PLASIEC Chairman, Fabian Ntung.

According to him, the Commission has received a communication from security operatives that the prevailing atmosphere in the state cannot guarantee a peaceful election and was advised to postpone the date of the election.

The statement reads: “In line with the forgoing advice, the Commission wishes to inform the general public, especially, stakeholders in the political process in the state that, the Local government council elections in the state which was earlier scheduled for Saturday, 17th February, 2018, is hereby postponed until further notice.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to stress that the Commission, before this development has been well prepared and fully mobilized towards the conduct of this election on the earlier scheduled date.

“All concerned are hereby assured that as soon as the commission is again advised on the conducive nature of the security atmosphere in the state, a new date for the elections will be announced and the general public will be duly informed”.

The Chairman took journalists round its facilities to establish the Commission’s readiness to conduct the LG elections in the state. He showed sensitive and non sensitive materials it has already printed.

Mr. Ntung went further to inform journalists that PLASIEC has commenced training at management level and 80 ad hoc staff have been earmarked to train the trainers, which will commence next week. He said ad hoc recruitment will start soon, as the Commission will engage 7800 people all over the state for the purpose of the election.

However, electorates are skeptical of the unfavourable security report alleging that PLASIEC was not ready for the elections.