Gov Bala Urges Peaceful Bauchi LG Polls, Declares Monday Work-free Day

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has declared Monday a work-free day across the state to enable civil servants and other public servants to participate in the forthcoming local government councils elections.

The declaration covers workers at the local government, state and federal levels serving in Bauchi State, as well as employees in the banking sector.

The decision followed the announcement by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) fixing Monday, August 17, for the conduct of elections into the Local Government Councils across the state.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Mukhtar Gidado, the declaration was intended to provide eligible citizens with the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote and participate in the democratic process at the grassroots level without being constrained by official duties.
However, workers engaged in essential services are exempted from the work-free day.

The state government called on all citizens and residents to come out peacefully and exercise their franchise in accordance with the law.

It also urged eligible voters to conduct themselves responsibly before, during and after the elections.
The government assured residents that relevant authorities would work to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral environment, while urging citizens to cooperate with security agencies and electoral officials in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Governor Bala Mohammed wished the people of Bauchi State a peaceful and successful local government councils election.

Meanwhile, BASIEC has assured residents of the state of its preparedness to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful local government elections scheduled for August 17.

The chairperson of the Commission, Hajiya Jummai Salamatu Abubakar, reaffirmed BASIEC’s commitment to conducting the elections in line with its constitutional mandate.

She said elections would be conducted for chairmanship positions in 19 of the state’s 20 local government areas and councillorship seats in all 20 local government areas.

Abubakar explained that no chairmanship election would be held in Shira local government area because the position had already been filled through an earlier by-election.

She further disclosed that the commission had engaged political parties, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media in a series of consultations aimed at ensuring an inclusive, transparent and hitch-free electoral process.

On logistics and security, the BASIEC chairperson said adequate arrangements had been concluded in collaboration with relevant security agencies for the procurement and deployment of election materials, transportation and personnel to polling units across the state.

She added that the training of election personnel, voter education and public enlightenment campaigns were at advanced stages, expressing confidence that all outstanding preparations would be completed before election day.

Abubakar reassured the electorate that BASIEC would remain independent and impartial, and committed to conducting elections that reflect the will of the people.

She appealed to political parties, candidates and voters to remain peaceful, comply with electoral guidelines and cooperate with the commission and security agencies throughout the electoral process.