Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has implored political actors on the need to avoid electoral violence during the upcoming February 25th Local Government elections in the state.

At a one- day stakeholder’s forum on Preventive Peace building for Partisan Political Conflicts held in Jos the Plateau state capital, Chairman PLASIEC, Hon. Peter Dalyop said though the election was supposed to have held in 2013, security situations in and around the state forced it to postpone it till now. Hon. Dalyop said the essence of the workshop was to enlighten electoral stakeholders on the importance of promoting issue based politics, rather than issues that will provoke violence.

Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has yesterday 12th February 2014, implored political actors on the need to avoid electoral violence during the upcoming February 25th Local Government elections in the state.

At a one- day stakeholder’s forum on Preventive Peace building for Partisan Political Conflicts held in Jos the Plateau state capital, Chairman PLASIEC, Hon. Peter Dalyop said though the election was supposed to have held in 2013, security situations in and around the state forced it to postpone it till now. Hon. Dalyop said the essence of the workshop was to enlighten electoral stakeholders on the importance of promoting issue based politics, rather than issues that will provoke violence.

“The coming local government elections will be an acid test of how far we have come in embracing democratic governance at the grassroots level. I wish to use this opportunity to express the commitment of PLASIEC to organize a credible local government election. Election is not warfare, but a contest of alternating ideas for the sole aim of improving the lives of the citizens” he said.

Hon. Dalyop emphasized that the task of tackling election violence must be seen as an all-round activity and that all stakeholders involved must be active participants.

“I urge you all to preach the gospel of violence free elections. I urge you all to cooperate with PLASIEC as we are poised to deliver acceptable elections that will satisfy the yearnings of the people of Plateau state.

In his remarks, Executive Director of Centre for Peace-building and Socio-economic Resources Development CePSERD, Mr Ayokunle Fagbemi who is collaborating with the International Republican Institute (IRI) and working in partnership with PLASIEC said, the workshop would facilitate a consensus and commitment amongst candidates, to steer clear of violence by ensuring that their campaign messages are not provocative and that the supporters are properly guided.

The event brought together political party agents, Civil Society Organizations CSO’s, security agencies as well as contestants and supporters of the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

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