Plateau LG polls: Labour party accuses PLASIEC of bias, debunks rumour of candidates stepping down
Labour Party in Plateau State has accused the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) of favouring a particular political party in the build up to the October 9 local government elections in the state.
The party also debunked rumour that its candidates had stepped down for other candidates contesting the election, saying that it had filled all the contestable positions in the elections.
Member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency and Chairman Campaign Council of Labour Party in the State, Dalyop Chollom, said in Jos on Tuesday that the development was capable of eroding the confidence the people had in the exercise.
He said that as a member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency and Chairman of the Campaign Council of the Labour Party, Plateau State, he found, it very compelling to draw the attention of His Governor , Caleb Mutfwang, to the the anomaly as he had promised that the exercise will be free, fair.
While applauding the noble step in the composition of the members of the under the leadership of . Plangji Daniel Chishak, which has boosted the confidence of all political parties that PLASIEC is capable of delivering credible elections, he however said, said, “I note with great concern the primacy given to a particular political party, as against its statutory mandate to create a level playing ground for free, fair elections in Plateau State, which is very unthinkable.
“This impinges on the neutrality test of the task at hand. It deliberately contradicts the numerous assurances that the Plateau electorate will have the most credible local elections, honoring the values instituted by our past political leaders and mentors, such as Baba S.D. Lar and Da Sen. J.D. Jang”
“If this avoidable anomaly is timely addressed, it will single you out as a true democrat, father, and pastor to all Plateau people, as you are known for.”As a voice not only for Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency but also as **Council Chairman in Plateau State** of the Labour Party’s family, I am using this medium to state that the Labour Party is contesting All positions, from Chairmanship to Councillorship in the State, and none of our candidates have stepped down for anybody.
“Thus, it is very appalling to hear such unfounded information being disseminated, which is hereby vehemently refuted.*In the same vein, the vandalization of our Billboards/Banners and other campaign materials across the State is undemocratic, uncivil, and hereby condemnable.”
The party called on PLASIEC to summon a stakeholders engagement to enable discourse on issues regarding the forthcoming Local Government elections”That PLASIEC should strictly adhere to its statutory mandate of conducting free, fair, and transparent elections and uphold the laid-down standards in order to fulfill the assurances of the Executive Governor regarding the State-wide exercise, which should reflect the will of the masses.
He called on all people within Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency and by extension, the entire Plateau electorate, to come out en masse and vote for the candidates of the Labour Party in the forthcoming elections on October 9th, 2024
