In a bid to construe and unriddle the riffs of the press statement earlier made on the 10th of July, 2024 by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), PointBlank News Blog hosted Comrade GENSHAK GOLAK, a social commentator and public analyst in its 26th interactive session held on Monday, the 15th of July, 2024.
Speaking to PointBlank on the timeliness of the press briefing on the election schedule by PLASIEC, the public analyst deposed that the timeline issued by the commission was unflappable, as it was within the state electoral act establishing it, and in line with the stipulated laws guiding the commission.
He proceeded to say that although historically, local government elections in Plateau State have faced significant challenges regarding transparency and fairness owing to undue government influences on electoral proceedings, the involvement of independent observers becomes very crucial at this time to uphold the integrity and sanity of the process especially in a time like this when there have been persistent waves of political instabilities and agitations. Comrade GENSHAK further opined that the public must remain vigilant to hold every electoral official to account, as citizens’ participation cannot be overemphasized because it is the ingredient that will give the elections the needed scrutiny.
Proffering viable measures to forestall electoral mishaps and undue impediments, He suggested that at every stage of the process, the government ought to demonstrate a true sense of fairness and level playing ground for all parties involved, and the commission should be provided with every necessary logistics to sail through this period of preparation without hitches.
Affirming his opinion on the Supreme Court verdict which conferred financial autonomy to local government councils, the public analyst deposed that the apex court should have focused more on securing credible elections across the Local Governments rather than upholding financial autonomy without fixing the most crucial process that will bring those to manage the success of the autonomy, which is consequently an exercise in futility.
