By Emegwoako C. Paschal
The Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) has stated its readiness to hold elections in the state’s 25 local government areas.
The commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Baba, announced over the weekend in Minna that the election would take place on Thursday, November 10 this year.
Baba stated that all necessary machinery has been put in place for the peaceful election, which will be the third under the current commission.
To ensure a smooth election, the chairman stated that training for local government electoral officers from the state’s 25 LGAs has been completed, adding that the Electoral Officers will also conduct similar training for ad hoc staff to be engaged in their respective areas.
According to Baba, adequate mobilization of security operatives, including police, members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilantes, has taken place.
He stated that the commission was continuing with the election and that the commission had received no court injunction requesting that the election not be held.
Baba stated that some election materials would be obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) where possible, but added, “We may improvise if we cannot get the assistance needed from INEC.”
He urged registered political party candidates to proceed with their campaigns, which he advised should be free of clashes, character assassination, and violence.
