The Plateau State House of Assembly has passed the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) Law 2024, effectively repealing the PLASIEC Law 2016. The bill, which passed its third reading on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, is now awaiting the assent of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
During the plenary session on Wednesday, August 21, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Parastatals and World Bank Projects for scrutiny and legislative input. The Chairman of the Committee, Joseph Bukar, who also sponsored the bill and represents Shendam State Constituency, presented the committee’s report. The legislators approved the report after it was considered by the Committee of the Whole.
Joseph Bukar stated that the bill is intended to align with the Electoral Act 2022, providing a legal framework for the general conduct of elections and ensuring credible elections in Plateau State. The bill also outlines the roles of electoral officers in collating and announcing election results at various stages of local government elections. It specifies that the results for the Chairmanship and Deputy Chairmanship positions will be announced at the respective local government headquarters.
In addition to the passage of the PLASIEC Law, the Assembly also amended the Plateau State Local Government Council Law 2017. This amendment, sponsored by Joseph Gokum, who represents Kanke State Constituency, addressed provisions related to the vacation of seats by councilors and the tenure of office for Chairmen.
Furthermore, the Assembly considered a bill for the establishment of the Plateau State Sports Commission 2024. Sponsored by Matthew Kwarpo, who represents Mangu South State Constituency, the bill aims to enhance the oversight of sporting activities within the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. The second reading of this bill is scheduled to take place in two weeks.
