Nasarawa Fixes LG Polls For November 2

The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) has slated the local government election in the state for November 2.

Chairman of the commission, Barrister Ayuba Wandai Usman, disclosed this during a meeting with Inter Party Advisory Councils (IPAC) on Wednesday in Lafia.

The commission during the meeting also released the guidelines for the conduct of the proposed election.

Barrister Usman said the commission decided to release the guidelines and date for the poll after dispensing with the litigation preventing it from conducting the earlier scheduled election into the councils by aggrieved persons.

LEADERSHIP reports that the tenure of the incumbent chairman is expected to end on Monday, October 7, 2024 having been sworn in on October 8, 2021.

The commission, in compliance with Extant Laws, had earlier issued a Notice of Election slating the conduct of the poll for 2024 31st August, 2024.

However, the commission was served with an Originating Summons by the Federal High Court, Lafia in a matter filed by one Paul A. John, Esq. and 12 Others against the the State House of Assembly and the commission, challenging Section 8(e) of the State Local Government Election Law, 2018 and Sections 3j, 3k and 9 of the Local Government Councils Elections Guidelines, 2024.

Following the development, the commission postponed all scheduled activities leading to the conduct of the poll indefinitely.

“Having had our day in court by emerging victorious, the court dismissed the suit and upheld all our contentions. The plaintiffs, being dissatisfied with the judgement, filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal Makurdi but have suddenly filed a Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance of Notice of Appeal on Thursday 26th September, 2024 thus clearing the way for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Elections.

“The Commission has after studying and analyzing the judgement of the Federal High Court Lafia decided today 2nd October, 2024 to issue a Notice of Election and slated the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Elections to hold on 2nd November, 2024,” Barrister Usman explained.

He said the commission is in compliance with Extant Laws releasing the Guidelines for Local Government Councils Elections 2024.