Insecurity Delaying Taraba Council Elections – TSIEC Chairman
TSIEC Chairman, Dr. Philip Duwe
The Chairman, Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC), Dr. Philip Duwe on Monday said insecurity in some parts of the state was responsible for the delay in the conduct of the Local Government Council Elections in the State.
Duwe, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Jalingo said the commission and the government were willing to conduct Local Council elections, but the lingering security in the state was hampering the exercise.
He explained that the commission had already done its budget which has been approved by the State House of Assembly, but was waiting for signal from security agencies as to when it will be convenient to hold elections.
“As a commission, we are well prepared. Our budget and activity profile are all ready. The only thing we are waiting for is the instruction from the Governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the State.
“You all know that Taraba has come under serious security challenge and the Governor can only give instructions for the conduct of election based on security report from security agents.
“As we speak, a lot of people who were displaced are still in IDPs camps especially in southern and Northern parts of the State which was the worst hit in the crisis.
“Even though people are agitating for elections to be conducted in the Local Council, we can not risk the lives of the people and disenfranchised others in the process,” he said.
Duwe thanked politicians who were already displaying posters for the council polls for their willingness to participate in the process and urged them to join hands with the government and security agencies to restore permanent peace to communities to enable the commission conduct election.
This is even as he thanked God for a reduction in the level of crisis in the state and the media for their objective reportage of the peace process.
The Chairman expressed optimism that with the concerted efforts being made by all the stakeholders towards peace, the commission may likely commence the process of conducting council elections by the end of the first quarter of 2020.
Our correspondent reports that the tenure of the elected Local Government Council Chairmen had elapsed since 2019 and the state government has been appointing Caretaker Committee to administer the councils.