The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) chairman, Mr Fabian Ntung, has assured of the commission’s readiness to conduct elections into the remaining four local government councils of the state.
Mr Ntung gave the assurance Monday when he received the state House of Assembly Committee on Parastatals and World Bank Projects on an oversight visits at his office.
“The house of Assembly have been supportive, they have given us good laws that we have been operating. They have supported us budgetary wise,” he said.
Mr Ntung said the house has also approved the budgetary requirements for the conduct of elections into the remaining four local government councils, as well as the budget for the creation of additional electoral wards and that of the creation of development areas should the need arises.
The remaining four local government areas where elections would be conducted are Jos North, Jos South, Barikin Ladi and Riyom.
Further, Ntung said their bottleneck remains the issue of insecurity in the areas, adding that security agencies had earlier advised them to suspend the elections.
Speaking further, he said: “We are ready. I am assuring people that we will do it. We have done it before. The issue is the insecurity situation.
“As soon as the situation improves we will conduct the elections. It is everybody’s delight that democracy should flourish at the local level,” Ntung added.
Nonetheless, he said they have all materials, have recruited and trained adhoc staff for the conduct of the elections.
Earlier, the house committee chairman, Hon Pirfa Tyem, had informed the PLASIEC chairman that they were at the office to see how best to create synergy and work for the good of the people of the state
Hon Tyem said the committee and all members of the assembly were always available to support the commission.
