CSO Demands Credible LG Polls In Gombe

Ahead of the upcoming local government polls in Gombe State slated for April, a Civil Society Organisation (SCO), Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), has called on the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) to conduct a free and fair election that would be credible to all and sundry.

The group, through its general secretary, Mrs Mma Odi made the call at a press conference in Gombe.

She said the state government should grant total independence to the commission to enable it conduct an acceptable election that would reflect the choice of the citizens/ residents of the state.

The CSO also advised the people of the state to come out enmasse and exercise their franchise in the forthcoming council polls saying without their participation, the exercise would be a futile effort.

Odi said the group was implementing a project in the state with support from Situation Room/UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Office in its efforts to ensure improved local government elections.

“We are implementing a project on promoting electoral credibility and public trust in local government elections in Gombe State. The project is to promote partnerships and synergy between the executive, the legislature and the citizens in ensuring free, fair, peaceful and credible local government elections and good governance at the local government level.

“The result of this project is to improve management of local government elections, increased citizens’ participation in local government elections and good governance at the local government level,” she said.