From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, (BSIEC), has fixed July 6, 2024 for the conduct of Local Governments elections in Benue state.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr John Chen, stated this at stakeholders meeting for the release of the commission’s action plan and timetable in Makurdi on Friday, pledging not to organise a voodoo or sham elections. Governor Hyacinth Alia, on March 29, 2024, inaugurated the BSIEC with a charge to quickly swing into action and kick-start the processes and procedures aimed at conducting free, fair and credible elections in the state.
Chen said BSIEC recognises the vital role each stakeholder; political parties, civil society organizations, the media and security agencies, play in ensuring successful elections.
“This commission will not organise voodoo or sham elections. We know the dangers of organizing sham elections which only leads in the enthronement of mediocres and people of dubious acceptability into positions of leadership, ultimately leading to dismal governance,” he said. Alongside the election timetable, BSIEC also announced its intention for the creation of additional council wards within Benue State.
“This initiative is in recognition of the exponential growth in the demography, social, political and economic activities at that tier of government. We believe that additional council wards will provide a more equitable representation at the grassroots level, thereby bringing governance and the dividends of democracy closer to the people,” he said.