By Israel Joel
As Plateau prepares to conduct local government elections on Saturday, Governor Simon Lalong has said that those who are bent on causing trouble with a view to disrupting the processor causing pain on the people should be warned to shelve the idea because they will not be allowed to succeed.
Lalong made this known in a state broadcast to citizens of the state on Thursday.
The Governor said that Government has directed security agencies to deal decisively with anyone who threatens the lives and properties of law-abiding citizens using the election as a cover.
He also said that ” As part of the preparations for a successful conduct of the elections, Government has declared Friday the 8th of October 2021, a work free-day to enable all citizens particularly civil servants go to their voting units to participate.”
“PLASIEC has assured all citizens, candidates, and political parties of its preparedness to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections in line with the constitution and other relevant guidelines. “They have also reaffirmed their readiness to deploy its trained personnel and ad-hoc staff to all the polling units to conduct the exercise.
He further said, ” Government welcomes this assurance by PLASIEC and hopes that all citizens, political parties and their candidates will cooperate with the electoral umpire to carry out this task in a peaceful, safe, and unbiased manner.”
Lalong added that PLASIEC has also disclosed that they have engaged security agencies at several levels and obtained assurances of adequate deployment of personnel throughout the 325 Wards and 17 LGAs for a hitch-free exercise.
“This is a welcome development which the Government will compliment by ensuring that there is peace before, during, and after the elections.’
He advised all citizens to come out and vote for their candidates and parties of choice without any molestation, harassment or intimidation.
In his words ” Security agencies have been directed to provide a safe environment for people to exercise their franchise and determine who represents them at the grassroots level.”
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” While we commend the good people of Plateau State, security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, the civil society, the media, and the Federal Government for their support which enabled us to overcome the recent security breach in the State, we have to be on our guard to ensure that such infractions do not occur again particularly during this elections.”
“Elections are neither war nor an avenue for hatred and bitterness. It is an avenue where people express their will and put their confidence on candidates or parties of their choice to lead them at any particular time.” We should not allow religious, ethnic or political sentiments to divide us. Plateau belongs to all of us.
Lalong also said that on election day, Saturday, October 9th, 2021, all vehicular movements shall be restricted from 7 am to 4 pm throughout the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.
He cautioned citizens to avoid over-heating the polity and shun hate speech, fake news, and toxic propaganda which only polarizes and damages the collective aspirations.
