Taraba Council Polls: We are only acting inline with the law -TSIEC reacts to APC’s Court threat
Daniel Mtindiga, Jalingo. betewinw.com
The Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC) has stated that it is only acting inline with the stipulations of the laws establishing the Commission.
TSIEC Chairman Dr. Philip Duwe disclosed this in a telephone interview with Worldview Magazine while reacting to the controversy surrounding the rejection of the All Progressives Congress party candidates list for screening ahead of the November 5th Council polls in the State.
Dr. Duwe maintained that the APC have refused to comply with the Commission’s electoral guidelines including registration of candidates, purchase of interest forms among other things after the ample time.
“We have not infringed on anyone’s right now shortchanged anybody but we are an election management body and we work inline with rules and regulations that are backed up by Legislation and order but the APC does not want to comply with any stipulated law, they rather want us to adopt what they want.
“We met several times with the nineteen political parties in the State and four of them have done the needful and would be participating in the election, only APC that refused to comply. How do you screen someone who has not registered for an election nor purchase form? How can a student even participate in an examination he/she didn’t register for? The situation is really funny.
“Our primary responsibility is to plan, organize and conduct elections and that is exactly what we are doing. The process is transparent and fair enough and every party is represented through the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) including the APC. At my age if I can’t do the right thing then I am a disappointment, “he remarked.
He however, called on Tarabans to remain calm and peaceful in the buildup of the elections,urging the APC to feel free to approach the Court adding that the Court exist for everyone.
When contacted, the APC State Publicity Secretary Mr. Aaron Atimas, described the situation as unfortunate adding that it is a known fact that State Governments always control/manipulate LG elections using every possible tool.
He maintained that the measures taken by TSIEC is just an indication that the elections have already been decided. He however, revealed that the APC is exploring every option to address the challenges.