PLASIEC Reschedule Activities for 2024 LG Elections

The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission has adjusted their planned activities for the 2024 local government elections in the state.

Chairman of the Commission, Plangji Cishak announced this during a briefing on the election update to members of the Civil Society Organizations CSOs, Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC and the media at the Commission’s headquarters in Jos, Plateau State capital.

According to him, the reverse election time table was necessitated by the (#EndBadGovernance) protests across the country which has impacted negatively on their activities and that of the political parties.

“You will recall, last month precisely, on the 10th of July, I addressed a press briefing here on the release of election timetable preparatory to the October 9 Local Government Elections. However, the latest events have made it necessary for us to adjust activities in the build-up to the elections.

“This is to ensure that Political parties that have earlier scheduled their Primaries and have notified the Commission within the period of protest and curfew in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis are not disenfranchised.

“PLASIEC announces today the rescheduling of some upcoming activities for the local government elections as earlier released.

Mr. Cishak said the adjustments was to ensure that the election process continues smoothly while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the electoral system as he assured of their commitment to carrying out its responsibilities towards a smooth electoral process in line with global best practices.

PLASIEC remains fully committed to ensuring that all political parties can participate in the elections without any disadvantage. We want to reassure the public and all stakeholders that the rescheduling will not affect fairness or transparency of the election process. Our focus is on providing a level playing field and equitable opportunity for all parties involved.

“We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of all Political parties, Aspirants and voters as we navigate these changes. PLASIEC will continue to provide updates and further information as necessary to ensure a smooth and effective election process.

The PLASIEC boss also announced that seven political parties in the state have written the commission, indicating their interest to participate in the October, 9th local government elections, which according to us is an indication of trust by the political parties to the commission.

Though the reschedule of the activities doesn’t affect the initial election date of October 9th, 2024, the Commission gives the breakdown of the extended Election Timetable and Schedule of Activities is as follows.

Publication of Notice of Election
Release of Election Timetable
Release of Election Guidelines
Wednesday, 10th July, 2024, Commencement of Campaign activities:
Commencement of Campaign by Political Parties Friday, 12th July, 2024.

Conduct of Party Primaries including resolution of disputes arising from same and observation of same by the Commission Friday, 29th July, 2024 to Thursday, 8th August, 2024, Collection of Nomination Forms for Candidates by Political Parties Friday 9th August, 2024 to Tuesday 13th August, 2024 Friday, 16th August, 2024 to Monday, 19th August, 2024.

Submission of Nomination Forms for Candidates by Political Parties
Wednesday, 14th August, 2024 to Monday, 19th August, 2024
Tuesday, 20th August, 2024 to Friday, 23rd August, 2024 and Publication of Personal Particulars of Candidates by the Commission Wednesday, 21st August, 2024 Saturday, 24th August, 2024.

Verification/Screening of Chairmanship Candidates and their Running Mates
Thursday, 22nd August, 2024 to Saturday, 24th August, 2024
Monday, 26th August, 2024 to Wednesday, 28th August, 2024 and
Verification and Screening of Councillorship Candidates
Monday, 26th August, 2024 to Friday, 30th August, 2024 Thursday, 29th August, 2024 to Monday, 2nd September, 2024.

Submission of List of Qualified/Cleared Candidates to the Political Parties by PLASIEC Monday, 2nd September, 2024
Tuesday 3rd September, 2024, Receiving of Appeal Cases by PLASIEC
Wednesday, 4th September, 2024
Thursday 5th September, 2024.

Hearing of Appeal Cases by PLASIEC
Friday, 6th September, 2024
Saturday, 7th September, 2024 and Last Day for the Withdrawal by Candidate(s)/Replacement of withdrawn Candidate(s) by Political Parties
Monday, 9th September, 2024.

Substitution of Withdrawn/Uncleared Candidates by Political Parties
Wednesday, 11th September, 2024,
Screening of Substituted Candidates by PLASIEC Friday, 13th September, 2024 and Collection of Nomination Forms by all Cleared-Substituted Candidates
Monday, 16th September, 2024

Submission of Nomination Forms by all Cleared-Substituted Candidates
Wednesday, 18th September, 2024 and
Publication of Final List of Nominated Candidates by the Commission
Saturday, 21st September, 2024.

Submission of Names and Addresses of Polling Agents by Political Parties to the Commission Monday, 23rd September, 2024, Publication of Official Register of Voters for the Election by the Commission Monday 16th September, 2024 and publication of Notice of Poll by the Commission Monday, 23rd September, 2024.

Last day for Campaigns by Political Parties Monday, 7th October, 2024
(12.00 mid-night), ELECTION DAY (8.00am-3.00pm) Wednesday, 9th October, 2024 then RUN-OFF/SUPPLEMENTARY ELECTIONS Saturday, 12th October, 2024.

The commission enjoined all political parties and stakeholders to give their support and cooperation to PLASIEC, so as to organize, undertake and supervise a free, fair, credible and transparent Local Government Councils Election in Plateau State.