By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – A coalition of election observers in the just concluded Plateau State Local Government Elections, has said that there is no case of vote buying recorded.
The coalition, Caritas Empowerment and Development Initiatives and International Standard Centre for Development who worked round the clock on Wednesday October 9th, 2024, to observe the elections added that apart from a peaceful conduct of the polls, the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), did a good job in ensuring a seamless rancor free polls.
Even though the result of the election is still being awaited as at the time of filing this report, the group of observers rated the polls 90 per cent apart from delay in arrival of election materials.
Speaking to our correspondent at a polling unit in Jos South Local Government Area on Wednesday, leaders of the two Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Prince Nicholas Bisong and Amara Confidence, expressed satisfaction on the level of security that manned the State at each polling unit visited.
According to the duo, “In all polling units visited, there were adequate security personnel on ground, the PLASIEC officials were on ground identifying the names of the voters in the register since the voters verification system app wasn’t working at the commencement of the polls.
“Voting in most of the polling units started at about 10am. We began our observation from St. Gregory’s primary school I polling unit. Ward 007 in Du, Jos South Local Government which had 1,745 registered voters.
“Our observation showed that the voting was peaceful and very orderly. There weren’t any cases of vote buying.
“Conclusively, we wish to commend the PLASIEC Chairman, Hon. Plangji Daniel Cishak and his team for their concerted efforts aim at improving the Local Government Elections and setting a standard for other States Independent Electoral Commission to emulate.
“Also, our appreciation goes to the security agencies and the people of the State for coming out to exercise the franchise.
“We also commend the Governor of the State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, for improving and uplifting PLASIEC to an enviable level”, the group said.
