Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Borno State Independent Electoral Commission (BOSIEC); has released timetable for the elections of 27 Chairmen and 312 councilors across the state. The timetable; which commences yesterday comprises meeting with political parties and Stakeholders for submission of intent to contest council elections by political parties. BOSIEC’s Chairman, Abdu Usman, announced election timetable on Tuesday at a press conference held in Maiduguri.
While speaking on previous elections in Borno state, he said the Commission conducted two elections in 2004 and 2008 and were adjudged to be free, fair and credible. “The timetable has already outlined all activities, including collection of forms, submission and holding of primaries and verification of candidates by all political parties. “Armed with these challenging responsibilities, the commission has set in motion preparations for free, fair and credible elections in all the 27 councils in Borno,” he said, adding that they include public and voter education; as well as sensitization on all election programmes as contained in released timetable.
On security challenges conduct elections, he said: “The commission’s electoral law, has provision to conduct elections in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps near ‘hard to reach’ councils of Marte, Abadam and Guzamala. According to him, the preparedness of commission towards conduct of this year’s council election is slated for Saturday, June 13, 2020. He said in achieving this objective, the commission is to engage 1,327 ad hock staff, comprising returning officers, supervisors and presiding officers. He said they are to conduct elections in 5,071 polling points and 3, 933 voting centres across the state.
