The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission has fixed December 5, 2020, for the local government elections in the state.
The Chairman of the commission, Dr Mamman Mohammed announced this on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, in Damaturu at the meeting of all political parties and other stakeholders in the election circles.
Dr Mamman said the meeting of the stakeholders in the state marks the beginning of the political activities for the election in the next three months.
He called on politicians to play by the rules of the game by engaging members of their parties while promising to provide a level playing ground for all political parties.
His words: “To conduct a free fair and credible election, we need a conducive environment and perfectively level playground and follow the rules of the game. This is why we all gather here to rub minds and freely discuss ways and means of conducting a smooth, free, fair credible, and most importantly acceptable election in the State.”
He also charged them to shun hate speech observing that hate speech and violence undermines democracy and socio-economic development.
The chairman charged party leaders to prevail on their candidates and supporters to be tolerant and peaceful, especially during electioneering campaigns.
Dr Mamman said the elections would be conducted in 178 wards of the 17 local government areas of the state, adding 18 parties had registered for the election.
He promised that the election would be free, fair and credible, urging stakeholders to feel free to always provide their input and observation to the commission for a smooth conduct of the exercise.
On elections in areas with security challenges, he said the commission would rely on advise from security operatives.
The chairman, however, said units with confirmed security challenges would be moved to where security could be guaranteed.
