By John Odhe, YENAGOA
The Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) has given reason for announcing a temporary suspension of preparation for the proposed Local Government Area election slated for April, 2027.
A statement by the BYSIEC’s Commissioner for Media and Publicity, Mr. Augustus Elliot Osomu, noted that the suspension was as a result of law suites filed against the commission by the Zenith Labour Party and According Party.
When contacted, Osomu told our correspondent that the political parties were in court to challenge the decision of BYSIEC to place an administrative fees on local government chairmanship and vice chairmanship candidates.
He said the commission had introduced an administrative fee of N1million and N500,000 from chairmanship and vice chairmanship candidates respectively.
Osomu hinted that the parties were in court questioning the legality of the imposition of an administrative fees on political candidates.
He said the suspension of the electoral process was in line with the commission’s respect for the rule of law, adding that BYSIEC would give a fresh update once the issue was trashed.
“They (the political parties) just brought the Simmons. Our legal team will brief us. We will let you know once the issue is resolved,” the commissioner added.
With the legal battle instituted against the state electoral umpire, it is now uncertain whether the April 2027 date for the LG polls will be feasible.
