The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has resolved with political parties in the state to shift local government elections to January or February next year.
The communique of a meeting between PLASIEC and the parties which was signed and released Wednesday by chairmen of 14 political parties as well as chairman of PLASIEC, Peter Dalyop, did not specify the date but simply stated, “The local government elections currently fixed for 21st December 2013 has been rescheduled to January or February, 2014.”
When PLASIEC first made its public announcement of plans to conduct the elections, it fixed December 7, 2013 as the date for the polls, but it later announced a shift to December 21.
Giving what it said were the reasons for the latest shift in date, the communique of the stakeholders meeting between PLASIEC and state chairmen of political parties stated:
“The meeting considered the concerns expressed by the generality of the people of Plateau State that the 21st of December, 2013 fixed for the local government elections would hinder proper preparations for, as well as enjoyment of the Christmas celebrations.
The meeting also considered the mourning mood in the state over the demise of the first civilian governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, observing that the funeral ceremony will affect the election programme, especially the primary elections of the political parties.”
