•To create additional wards
From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) has slated 6th July, 2024 for the conduct of local government elections in the state.
This is even as the Commission has vowed to conduct free, fair and credible election.
BSIEC Chairman, Dr. John Chen, who made the pledge at a stakeholders meeting in Makurdi on Friday, also revealed intention of the Commission to create additional council wards within the State.
According to him, ‘the initiative to create additional council wards is in recognition of the exponential growth in the demography, social, political and economic activities at the tier of government.
“We believe that additional council wards will provide more equitable representation at the grassroot level thereby bringing governance and dividends of democracy closer to the people.
“We pledge the Commission unwavering commitment to conducting credible,transparent and inclusive elections.
“This Commission will not organize voodoo or sham election. We know the dangers of organizing sham elections which only leads in enthronement of mediocres and people of dubious acceptability into positions of leadership, ultimately leading to dismal governance.
“The success of any election hinges not only on BSIEC efforts but also on the collective responsibility of all stakeholders including political parties, civil societies security agencies and the media”, Chen said.
