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The Plateau State government has declared Wednesday, October 9, as a work-free day to allow citizens to participate in the local government elections scheduled for that day.
The announcement was made by the Secretary to the State Government, Samuel Jatau, in a statement released on Monday.
According to Jatau, the work-free day is intended to enable public servants to travel to their respective local government areas and provide voters the opportunity to cast their ballots.
“His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang, has declared Tuesday, October 8, 2024, as a half-day working day to allow public servants to travel to their local government areas in preparation for the chairmanship and councillorship elections. Similarly, Wednesday, October 9, has been declared a work-free day,” the statement read.
The governor also urged citizens to conduct themselves peacefully during the elections and called on registered voters to come out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibility.
In a related development, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, announced a restriction of movement across the state from 12 midnight to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
This decision, announced during a stakeholders’ meeting in Jos on Monday, is aimed at ensuring a secure environment for the election.
Adesina emphasised the need for a peaceful and secure atmosphere to enable eligible voters to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
“The restriction of movement is intended to prevent any potential security threat and to ensure that voters can cast their ballots safely,” he stated.
He urged politicians to refrain from making inflammatory statements that could incite tension and called for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure a smooth electoral process. Adesina added that the movement restriction would enable authorities to monitor and control the situation, reducing the risk of disruption or violence.
“The people of Plateau State are eager to exercise their right to vote and choose their local government representatives. Although the restriction of movement may cause some inconvenience, it is a necessary measure to ensure the safety and security of all voters,” the commissioner noted.
The stakeholders’ meeting, held at the Police Officers’ Mess in Jos, was attended by religious leaders, youth groups, political party chieftains, and women groups, among others.
