INEC plans voting centres for Plateau IDPs

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Plateau State, Prof. Samuel Egwu, has disclosed that the Commission was planning to establish voting centres for Internally Displaced Persons in nine local government areas of the state.

Egwu listed the LGAs as Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South, Mangu, Kanam, Kanke, Wase and Bokkos.

He said IDPs have the fundamental right to vote despite being displaced, and that the initiative was part of efforts to ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised.

Our correspondent reports that the meeting, which brought together security agencies, election stakeholders and community representatives to discuss measures for promoting peaceful elections in the state was at the instance of the

CLEEN Foundation.

Earlier, the Foundation had commenced a multi-stakeholder dialogue on election security management in Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general election.

The dialogue, held on Wednesday in Jos, is aimed at strengthening collaboration between security agencies, election management bodies and the public to ensure a peaceful, free and fair election.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Mr Peter Maduoma, said the engagement was part of the Foundation’s contribution to sustainable peace in Plateau as the country approaches the 2027 polls.

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Maduoma, who was represented by Dr Gabriel Akinremi, noted that citizens’ engagement and threat mapping were critical to election security.

“Citizens’ engagement on election security, community threat mapping and multi-stakeholder dialogue are very vital to a peaceful, free and fair election,” he said.

According to him, the forum provides an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss and chart a pathway towards improved election security before, during and after the election.

He added that the dialogue would culminate in the signing of a peace accord by stakeholders in the state.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in Plateau, Mr Faniyan Ayodeji, commended CLEEN Foundation for convening the dialogue, describing it as an important platform for fostering collaboration towards peaceful and credible elections.

Ayodeji, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr Nengi Jepthah, said the credibility of elections depends on stakeholders doing the right thing.

“For the country to have a credible election, it is salient for all stakeholders to do the right thing,” he said.

He stressed the need for all actors to play their roles responsibly and called for greater collaboration among security agencies, election stakeholders, community representatives and members of the public to prevent activities capable of undermining the electoral process.