NASIEC Regulations Would Guarantee Independence Of The State Electoral Commission- Governor Sule

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Rabiu Omaku

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has assured the people of Nasarawa State that the State Independent Electoral Commission  Regulations 2021 would guarantee the independence of the State Electoral Umpire as well ensure credible, free, and fair election ahead of the October 6 Local Government election.

 

They revealed this during a ceremony at the  Ministry for Local Government, Community Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs.

 

Engineer Sule commended the commission for attaining the feat, with Nasarawa State being the first in the country to produce the set of regulations, He tasked NASIEC on the need to live above board.

 

He, however, urged the Commission to abide strictly by its regulation down to earth in order to exercise its independence as an electoral umpire devoid of any interference.

 

“The Commission must exercise neutrality and objectivity in the conduct of its statutory mandate as an electoral umpire, NASIEC must not align itself with any political party, candidate or interest no matter the odds in the forthcoming and subsequent elections,” he stated.

 

Governor Sule appealed to political parties and aspirants to be law-abiding during and after the electioneering campaign. Stressing that, politics is not a do-or-die affair, since, in every contest, winners must emerge.

 

He further advised political actors to imbibe the culture of managing the joy of victory and the agony of defeat at the end of the contest.

 

Governor Abdullahi Sule reiterated that only credible, competent, tested, transparent and accountable people are to be elected into the offices of the chairman and Councillors of their various Local Government councils.

 

Stating that is the only way the electorates can achieve the collective desire of transforming the third tier of Government.

 

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, Barrister Ayuba Wandai Usman, said the 2021 Regulations came about as a result of the determination of the commission to put in place procedures, rules, and structures, that will enable it adequately and efficiently discharge its mandate without further interference from any angle.

 

Noting that the rules of NASIEC considered the sacred responsibility of an election management body, as well as the need to have a set of rules aimed at optimal performance.

 

The Chairman said the commission is poised to deliver its mandate in a humble manner ahead of  October 6 Local Government election.

 

Barrister Wandai appreciate the Governor for his continuous support towards ensuring smooth conduct of council poll in the State

 

He further buttressed that the 2021 regulations ensuring the independence of the commission, as well as giving approval for the NASIEC Regulations 2021.

 

Barrister Wandai also thanked the State House of Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, the European Center for Electoral Support the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria, Inter-Party Advisory Committee, the Press, and other critical stakeholders for their unflinching support and cooperation towards a hitch-free election.

 

Mr. Manji Wilson, Deputy Project Coordinator ECES in an address pointed out that the level of credibility of Local Government elections, the plurality of representation, and effective service delivery, at the Local level influences the level of trust people have in democratic governance.

 

He said his organization strongly believes that the more consolidated and stronger SIECs are, the more they contribute to increasing the legitimacy, of Local Government democracy which would be extended to the country in general.

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