Nasarawa LG elections to gulp over N800m

Dr Abdullahi Madibbo, Chairman, Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) on Tuesday said that the commission would require about N800 million to conduct the local government elections in 2017.

Madibbo made this known in Lafia while briefing newsmen on the commission’s preparation for the conduct of the polls.

He said that NASIEC received the state Assembly’s resolution regarding the expiration of the tenure of the interim management committees of local governments in the state and the need to conduct credible council polls within 90 days.

“The commission saddled with the responsibility of conducting the elections according to the law has commenced preparation to ensure credible, free and fair elections.

“NASIEC is taking steps to act appropriately on the state Assembly’s resolution in accordance with the enabling statutes and relevant state electoral laws,” Moddibo said.

He said that the commission had put up a proposal for the amendment of certain portions of the electoral laws such as the tenure of elected council chairmen and the procedure for announcement of election results.

“The proposal will soon be sent to the state Assembly for possible amendment to address existing misgivings in the electoral process and associated challenges.

“The commission will release the election timetable by the end of the month; l urge politicians to play by the rule,’’ he said.

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly had on July 18, passed a resolution asking the state government to dissolve local government interim management committees on July 24, following the expiration of their one-year term.

The Assembly also requested that the government should make arrangements for the conduct of local government elections.