About 304 delegates are set to grace the 13th edition of the National delegates conference of the Forum of Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) in Plateau State.


A 3-day FOSIECON national delegates conference scheduled from 21st to 23rd May, 2025, tagged:" Local government elections in Nigeria: issues, challenges and opportunities", will saw the  participation of chairmen, commissioners, and secretaries of various State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) cutting across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

The conference which aimed to strengthen democracy at the grassroot level, Chairman, Plateau State Independent Electoral Commissions (PLASIEC), Mr. Daniel Plangji Cishak acknowledged that the theme calls for sober reflection, informed debate, and actionable outcomes.

Cishak while addressing newsmen at the PLASIEC headquarters, Tuesday in Jos stated that the national conference poised to cleared wrong narratives being peddle on the air against Plateau, saying the state remain the most peaceful as they want delegates to come and experience it themselves.

He said the opening ceremony will be held under the distinguished chairmanship of His Majesty, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, whose leadership continues to serve as a source of institutional wisdom and moral direction.

"In addition, we are expecting three serving governors, representatives of the Forum of Nigerian House of Assembly Speakers, and members of the National Assembly—particularly the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters. Their participation underscores the national significance of the issues on the table and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening local governance through credible elections. 

"Beyond the conduct of elections, PLASIEC has invested in expanding its infrastructure and equipping its offices to ensure readiness for electoral duties at all times."

Cishak further revealed the conference is more than a gathering of officials; it is a platform for learning, self-assessment, and shared growth. It offers electoral commissions an opportunity to engage in peer review, examine challenges, share innovations, and chart a collective path forward. Central to the conversation will be the future of SIECs themselves. 

"While some have questioned their independence, we at PLASIEC believe that scrapping them is unconstitutional and catastrophic to the collective aspirations of our people for the creation of strong democratic structures at the grassroots. Instead, we must pursue reform, capacity-building, and the standardization of processes across the country.

"Here in Plateau, we have shown that SIECs can work if given the right leadership, resources, and institutional backing. The October 2024 local elections, though not without challenges, remain a reference point for what is possible. The upcoming conference is therefore another opportunity to shape the national narrative around local elections and democratic accountability", he added.