TSIEC Moves to Restore Trust Ahead of Council Polls
The Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission, TSIEC, has opened fresh engagement with political parties as preparations intensify for electoral activities across the state.
The commission says it is determined to strengthen confidence in the electoral process and ensure that future local government elections are conducted peacefully, fairly and credibly.
TSIEC Chairman, Hon. Bala Job Aji, gave the assurance during a familiarisation meeting with representatives of political parties at the commission’s conference hall in Jalingo.
The engagement comes as the electoral body prepares to fill three vacant councillorship seats in Jalingo, Wukari and Donga Local Government Areas.
TSIEC Seeks Parties’ Cooperation
Aji said cooperation between the commission and political parties would be critical to building confidence in local government elections.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the new leadership of TSIEC to interact with political stakeholders and establish a working relationship ahead of future polls.
According to the chairman, disagreement and mistrust between political parties and the electoral commission could negatively affect the electoral process.
He therefore called for cooperation among stakeholders while assuring political parties that the commission would work towards elections that reflect the choices of voters.
The engagement could prove important as TSIEC seeks to establish credibility under its new leadership.
For political parties, confidence in the electoral umpire remains one of the major requirements for accepting the process and its eventual outcome.
Parties Push for Technology
Political parties at the meeting called on TSIEC to embrace technology in the conduct of elections.
They argued that greater deployment of technology could help reduce electoral irregularities and strengthen public confidence in election results.
The demand reflects growing expectations for electoral bodies to introduce measures capable of making elections more transparent.
Although specific technologies were not identified during the engagement, the parties made it clear that they want improvements capable of strengthening the credibility of council polls.
Their position puts technology among the issues TSIEC may have to consider as it prepares for upcoming electoral exercises.
The parties nevertheless pledged their cooperation with the commission as it works towards conducting credible elections.
Three Council Seats Vacant
TSIEC also disclosed that three councillorship seats are currently vacant across the state.
The affected seats are located in Jalingo, Wukari and Donga Local Government Areas.
According to Aji, the commission is putting necessary arrangements in place to fill the vacancies.
The development means voters in the affected areas could return to the polls once TSIEC completes preparations and announces the necessary electoral timetable.
No specific election date was announced during the engagement.
Political parties and prospective candidates will therefore be watching the commission for further information regarding the timetable, nomination procedures and other requirements for the elections.
IPAC Welcomes Dialogue
The Taraba State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, welcomed the commission’s decision to engage political parties.
Speaking on behalf of the council, its Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Saadu Abubakar, commended the new TSIEC leadership for opening discussions with political stakeholders.
Abubakar represented the state IPAC Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Bawa, at the meeting.
The council expressed willingness to work with the commission towards peaceful and credible local government elections.
The engagement provides an opportunity for both TSIEC and political parties to address concerns before voters head to the polls.
Regular dialogue could also help resolve disagreements early and establish clearer expectations among stakeholders.
Credibility Will Be the Test
The assurances given by TSIEC will ultimately be measured by how the commission handles actual elections.
Political parties will expect equal treatment, while voters will want confidence that their votes will determine the outcome.
The planned elections for the three vacant councillorship seats could therefore provide an important test for the commission.
Successful polls could strengthen confidence in TSIEC, while controversies could deepen existing concerns about local government electoral processes.
For now, the commission has placed dialogue, cooperation and credibility at the centre of its message to political parties.
Attention will now turn to the next steps from TSIEC, particularly the announcement of arrangements for filling the vacant seats in Jalingo, Wukari and Donga.
