By Tongnaan Dada Bawa, Jos
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has declared Friday the eight of October, Twenty Twenty- one, a work free-day to enable all citizens particularly civil servants go to their voting units to participate in local government election.
Governor Simon Lalong disclosed this in a State wide broadcast on Thursday evening in Jos the state capital.
He said elections are neither war nor an avenue for hatred and bitterness, but an avenue where people express their will and put their confidence on candidates or parties of their choice to lead them at any particular time.
He therefore, urged the citizens to avoid over-heating the polity and shun hate speech, fake news and toxic propaganda which only polarizes and damages collective aspirations of the people.
The governor said PLASIEC has assured it will conduct a free, fair and transparent elections in line with the constitution and other relevant guidelines. They have also reaffirmed their readiness to deploy its trained personnel and ad-hoc staff to all the polling units to conduct the exercise.
Governor Lalong was quick to warn those who are bent on causing trouble with a view to disrupting the process or causing pain on the people should shelve the idea because they will not be allowed to succeed. Adding that Government has directed security agencies to deal decisively with anyone who threatens the lives and properties of law abiding citizens using this election as a cover.
He however said that On the Election Day, being Saturday October 9th 2021, all vehicular movements shall be restricted from 7am to 4pm throughout the 17 Local Government Areas of the State. And Only those on essential duties will be allowed to move to their duty posts.
The governor then wishes all candidates and their political parties the best of luck and urged them to play by the rules of the exercise.
