Mufwang extends Plateau work-free days over LG poll

The Plateau State Government has extended the public holiday for the local government elections to today (Thursday).

This decision followed delays and technical issues that forced the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission to extend voting time by two hours, from 3 pm to 5 pm on Wednesday.

The extension aimed to ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised while tight security was maintained across the state.

The election was relatively peaceful, with no violence or clashes recorded.

Eleven political parties and their candidates contested the elections in over 300 wards across the 17 local governments, with candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress, and the Labour Party being the major contenders.

On Monday, Governor Caleb Mutfwang declared Wednesday, October 9, a work-free day to allow citizens to participate in the elections.

However, the election began late on Wednesday in most polling units, as many encountered technical hitches across the LGs.

This situation prompted the electoral body to extend the voting hours from 3 pm to 5 pm. The technical issues experienced with the Voter Verification System in some polling units were later resolved when presiding officers reverted to manual registers in the affected centres.

The Chairman of PLASIEC, Plangji Cishak, had previously promised that the commission would utilise the VVS to conduct the elections.

In a statement on Wednesday, PLASIEC’s Head of Media, Mrs. Koro Yakubu, stated that the extension was necessary due to unforeseen challenges encountered in some areas, including the late arrival of sensitive materials.

She assured that the commission was addressing the issue and working to ensure all materials were deployed accordingly so that voters could exercise their franchise.

“The election, which was scheduled for 8 am to 3 pm, has now been extended by two hours and is expected to conclude by 5 PM in the affected polling units,” the statement read.

Following the delay and extension of the voting hours, the government announced an extension of the work-free day to allow the people to return to their locations.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the SSG, Jatau, noted that the extension of the public holiday to Thursday was to enable those who travelled for the local government elections to return.

The statement, signed on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary for Policy and General Services, Mary Fom, read: “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang, has approved that Thursday, October 10, 2024, be declared a public holiday to enable citizens who travelled for the local government elections to return. The Executive Governor further thanks citizens for their peaceful conduct during the exercise.”

Some voters, interviewed during the election, expressed concern about the non-functioning VVS deployed by PLASIEC for the poll.

Others voiced concerns over the shortage of election materials in some polling units, fearing possible disenfranchisement.

However, PLASIEC officials at the polling units were seen reassuring voters that they would not be disenfranchised.

Security was also tightened in Jos, the state capital, and its environs for the conduct of the elections.

 Our correspondent observed Armoured Personnel Carriers belonging to the Police Bomb Squad and other security vehicles stationed at strategic positions in Jos and surrounding areas.

Stern-looking personnel were also seen manning security at various locations in and around the PLASIEC headquarters located on John Samci Road in the state capital.

The adjoining streets to the commission were blocked by heavily armed security personnel. Further checks revealed that other major roads in and out of Jos were also blocked by security forces as early as 7 am to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

A security personnel, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they were acting on instructions, adding that their duty was to ensure there was no disruption of peace in any part of the state during and after the elections.

Cishak, in the lead-up to the elections, assured the people that the commission would conduct a credible poll. “As we build up to the October 9 elections, I want to reaffirm our solemn promise to the people of Plateau State. We are committed to conducting a free, fair, and credible election. This election is unique, as we have consistently adhered to our timelines—except for one postponement regarding election guidelines during the nationwide protests. This success is largely due to Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s unwavering support. Let me place it on record that the governor has respected our operational independence,” he said.