The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (YSIEC) has scheduled June 6 for the conduct of local government council elections across the state.
The announcement was made on Wednesday evening in Damaturu by the Acting Chairman of YSIEC and Permanent Member I, Mohammed Nguru, during a news conference.
Nguru said Governor Mai Mala Buni had approved the elections, which would usher in new chairmen, deputy chairmen and councillors in the state’s 17 local government areas.
According to him, nomination forms for the elections have been pegged at N300,000 for chairmanship positions, N250,000 for vice chairmanship, and N200,000 for councillorship seats.
He explained that eligible contestants must be indigenes of Yobe State and meet the minimum age requirements of 25 years for councillorship and 30 years for chairmanship and vice chairmanship positions.
Nguru added that candidates must also be mentally sound, not bankrupt, residents of their local communities, pass security screening, and possess at least a school leaving certificate or its equivalent.
The acting chairman said the commission would issue election guidelines to political parties to ensure the emergence of credible candidates capable of delivering good governance at the grassroots.
He assured that YSIEC was fully prepared to conduct free, fair and credible elections, while calling on security agencies to support the process, particularly in identifying potential flashpoints.
Nguru also appealed to the media to assist in public enlightenment, urging voters to shun violence, vote buying and other practices that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
