The Director of Planning and Research at the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Ikye Dodo Terlumum has advised Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) on the need to ensure early release of materials for the December 12 local government elections.
Terlumum gave the advise during a sensitization programme organised by KOSIEC for its members in Lokoja on Wednesday.
He exposed the members of the commission to the various ways of identifying and curbing security and logistics challenges during election.
The INEC officer stressed that early release of materials will forestall any delay in the electoral process, noting that the riverine terrain and long distance of some LGAs from the state headquarters should be considered.
He also counseled the commission members on dialoguing more with political party stakeholders, electoral officers and returning officers, whom he described as foot soldiers of council elections, to emerge successful.
Speaking on accountability, Terlumum advised the commission to follow appropriate guidelines for the release and retirement of funds, emphasising that due process should be followed.
He recommended that KOSIEC should not stay idle after the December 12 election, but commence on the preparation of future council elections in the state.
While speaking during the programme held at KOSIEC headquarters, the Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri disclosed that the sensitisation was to better equip members for the task at hand.
He said the Commission would avail its electoral members of the latest information needed, noting that the best result was desirable at the end of the exercise.
Eri urged members to avail themselves of the opportunity for the best performance, while tasking them on credible and acceptable polls at the end.
