Kogi State Independent Election Commission (KOSIEC) has assured political parties that elections into local government councils in the state will hold this year.
The Chairman KOSIEC, Mamman Nda Eri gave the assurance in Lokoja on Tuesday during a pre-election stakeholders meeting with representatives of political parties.
Eri assured parties that the commission is committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections into the local government councils.
“Section 21 of the KOSIEC Law provides that the notice of elections shall be published not less than 90 days before the date of election. The essence of this first stakeholders’ meeting is to seek the consent of all political parties of the state to brainstorm on an agreed date and timetable of events towards the conduct of free and fair elections.
“The council poll will be held this year. Though, the actual date has not been decided, we will issue the actual date to the public in due course as soon as the parties meet, after the first stakeholders meeting and communicate back to KOSIEC.
“I want to allay the fears and erase the wrong perception of some of you about KOSIEC being partisan, particularly from members of the opposition parties in the state. We would therefore, wish to place on record our avowed commitment towards ensuring that there is a level playing field for each and every participant and stakeholder in the forthcoming local government election irrespective of political divide and affiliations.
“The commission shall strictly adhere to best practices in election management and will not perform below the benchmark for excellence in electoral administration.
“This is a new commission I am heading. I want to promise you all that my reputation is at stake. I will guard my work conscientiously not to jeopardize my reputation. I will do all parties right,” he said.
He urged the political parties to play the game of electioneering according to the rule with a view to ensuring a peaceful, credible, free and fair council polls in the state.
