The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has issued certificates of return to 304 councillors-elect across the state, following the conclusion of council elections held last Wednesday. The certificates were presented at the commission’s headquarters in Jos by the PLASIEC chairman, Mr. Plangji Cishak.
Notably among the recipients were two Igbo youths, Austin Wachuku and Okoro Uzoma, both elected under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jos North Local Government Area. Wachuku, hailing from Abia State, has been elected as the councillor for Vanderpuye Ward, while Uzoma, an indigenous of Imo State, will serve as the councillor for Tafawa Balewa Ward.
Speaking at the presentation, Cishak congratulated the councillors-elect on their victories and urged them to fulfill their campaign promises by serving their communities diligently. “The work ahead is crucial. You have been elected by your people, and it is now your responsibility to serve them with integrity and dedication,” Cishak said.
However, Cishak noted that elections in 21 wards were declared inconclusive due to various challenges. He explained that rerun elections would be conducted in those wards on Saturday, October 19.
“In some areas, our staff were hijacked, materials were destroyed, and elections could not be conducted. We have scheduled rerun elections for the affected wards, but these reruns will be strictly for councillorship elections,”
“We will ensure that the reruns are conducted in a credible and transparent manner. Our priority is to provide a fair process that reflects the will of the people,” Cishak assured.
He further clarified that the number of registered voters in those areas was not sufficient to affect the chairmanship results, which had already been finalized.
Moreover, the PLASIEC chairman emphasized that certificates of return are to be issued directly to the councillors-elect, rather than through proxies. “It is important that elected councillors receive their certificates in person, to maintain the integrity of the process,” Cishak stressed.
PLASIEC has assured the public that detailed arrangements for the rerun elections will be communicated in due course.