The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission has announced June 6 as the date for the conduct of local government council elections in the state.
The Acting Chairman of YSIEC and Permanent Member I, Alhaji Mohammed Nguru, disclosed this at a news conference held in Damaturu on Wednesday.
Nguru said the election was approved by Governor Mai Mala Buni and would usher in new chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors across the 17 local government councils in Yobe State.
According to him, nomination forms for the chairmanship position will cost N300,000, while those for vice chairmanship and councillorship will be sold at N250,000 and N200,000, respectively.
He explained that all citizens of Yobe State by origin are eligible to contest in the elections, provided they have attained the age of 25 for councillorship positions and 30 for chairmanship and vice chairmanship positions.
The acting chairman, however, noted that contestants must be sane, not bankrupt, residents of their local communities, and must undergo security screening.
He added that candidates are also required to possess a minimum of a school leaving certificate or its equivalent.
Nguru said the commission would issue detailed election guidelines to political parties to enable them to present credible candidates of integrity and competence for effective grassroots governance.
He assured that YSIEC was fully prepared to organise and supervise free, fair and credible elections.
He also called on security agencies to support the commission, particularly in identifying flashpoints that could pose threats to the smooth conduct of the exercise.
In addition, the YSIEC acting chairman appealed to the media to support the electoral process through adequate coverage and public enlightenment, urging residents to shun violence, vote buying and other practices capable of undermining the integrity of the election.
