*Primaries to hold between 13th -23rd August, 2024
By Josephine Ali
Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), has set plans in place for the conduct of Local Government Elections in the State.
The Chairman of the Commission, Mamnan Nda-Eri, made this known during the first stakeholders meeting at Reverton Hotel, Lokoja, the state capital.
According to the Chairman, the Commission, established under Section 197 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and empowered by the Kogi State Government, via the Local Government Elections Law 2004 and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), has prepared a comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities to ensure a transparent, free, fair and credible electoral process.
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Nda-Eri stated that with all the necessary things being put in place, the Local Government Elections is scheduled for 19th October, 2024.
While reeling out the guidelines and timetable, he noted that there will be a sensitisation tour to Local Government Areas from 22nd July to 23rd August, 2024, while collection of forms by political parties will hold between 5th and 12th of August, 2024.
The Chairman stated that Political Parties are expected to resolve their internal disputes between 13th and 23rd August, while all issues relating to primaries must be concluded by 23rd August or risk being denied participation in the elections.
In addition, he noted that the 26th day of August is expected to be the last day of submission of forms to SIEC, while 4th-12th September, is slated for verification and documentation.
While campaigns will commence formally on 12th September, the list of political parties’ candidates will be published on the 13th of September.
Other activities include: the withdrawal/substitution of uncleared candidates from the 16th -20th September; publication of the final list of candidates and political parties on 23rd September; publication of notice of codes, list of voters’ registers placed in Polling Units on 2nd October; 17th of October as the last day of campaign by political parties.
The need to conduct the Local Government Elections, follows the judgement last week by the Supreme Court which declared the Caretaker Committee running the affairs of Local Government Areas in the country illegal.
Subsequently, the Federal Government said allocation to LGAs without elected officials would be withheld as the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) is no longer recognised under the law.
All stakeholders gave the assurances of their support to the successful conduct of the election.
They stressed the need for the Electoral umpire to be impartial and create a level playing field for all political parties.
Those present at the stakeholders’ engagement include traditional rulers, representative of the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Non Governmental Organisation, Civil Society Organisations, Political Parties, and all other bodies.
