The Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Telumun Tombowua, said on Thursday that no group can prevent the forthcoming local government election.
Responding to questions during a press conference, the BSIEC boss stated that the latest amendment to the Electoral Law prohibits court interference in any activities related to the election.
He said, “Whether you go to court or have an injunction, it will not stop us from conducting this election, according to the latest amendment to the Benue State LG law.”
Tombowua explained that eight political parties are expected to participate in the upcoming local government election in the state.
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The political parties listed to participate are: All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Labour Party, Action Alliance, Social Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
The BSIEC chairman, who promised a free and fair election, added that the law establishing the commission does not permit the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machine for the election.
He also mentioned that the national working committee of the ruling APC had instructed the commission to deal with the seven-man committee appointed to oversee the party’s affairs in the state.
He said, “Fourteen political parties expressed interest, but only eight completed the process and submitted their candidate lists. Therefore, only eight parties will participate in the upcoming election.”
Regarding the purported factions within the APC, the national working committee of the party has directed the commission to engage solely with the seven-man committee it appointed.
The commission chairman addressed concerns about the possibility of any aggrieved APC group seeking a court order to prevent the election, stating that the amended law forbids court interference in the election process.
