On Friday, the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) announced that elections for the state’s 23 Local Government Areas’ councils would take place on July 6, 2023.
John Chen, the Chairman of BSIEC, made the news at a meeting for stakeholders in Makurdi, the state capital, to present action plans and events leading up to the exercise.
Chen announced that elections would be held for councilors and chairmen of local government councils and council wards, including the state’s anticipated newly established council wards.
He said that the decision was taken in response to the governor’s insistence that the commission act swiftly to initiate the steps necessary to hold free, fair, and credible elections in the state.
“We’re getting together today to take a big step toward keeping that pledge. Our purpose in being here is to present the official election schedule and schedule of events for the forthcoming Benue State Local Government Council elections. The important steps the BSIEC will take to guarantee a free and fair election process are laid out in this extensive text.
“Sham elections or voodoo will not be conducted by this commission. We are aware of the risks involved in holding fake elections, which only serve to elevate mediocre and questionably acceptable individuals to positions of authority and, in the end, bring about miserable administration.
“The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) is pleased to declare its plan to establish extra council wards in addition to the election schedule. This project recognizes the rapid expansion of social, political, demographic, and economic activity at that level of government.
“We think that more council wards will offer more equitable representation at the local level, bringing democracy and its benefits closer to the people,” he stated.