Plans for the second edition of elections into the various positions of the Ataba Youth Organization (AYO) in the Andoni Local Government Area have been concluded with election holding on Saturday 27th June, 2015 while sales of nomination forms commences from 8th through 12 June, 2015.
According to the Chairman, Ataba Youth Organization electoral
Commission (Eleco) Mr. Ijeh Uche and Secretary Mr. Enyekit
Japther electioneering activities leading to the election, indicate that submission of duly completed nomination forms begins on Friday 12th and end on Monday 15th June, 2015.
In a statement jointly signed by the electoral commission’s chairman and secretary, presentation of manifesto by aspirants for the position of President and Secretary takes place on 17th June, 2015, while screening of successful candidates comes up on 19th and 20th June and June 22′ is scheduled for the display of successful candidates.
The statement equally reveals that the electoral commission would entertain petitions if any on June 23rd, 2015 as campaign kick- starts from 2 1st through 26th June, 2015.
While The Newswriter was authoritatively briefed that June 2 7th, 2015 is slated for the election proper, run-off election where necessary is billed for 28th June and thereafter the presentation of certificate of return to duly elected officers would take its turn on June 29th, 2015.
Earlier in the statement, the electoral commission had in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of its organization’s constitution as amended made open eleven (11) offices to be contested for to include, President, Vice-president, General Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Public Relation Officer, Organizing Secretary, Welfare officer, Provost and Auditor.
The electoral commission in the statement relying on Article 14 of AYO’s constitution has distributed the offices to be contested for, to the nine (9) villages in the two wards of Ataba Kingdom, except the presidential slot which shall be contested by aspirants from villages in Ataba ward Eleven (11) only, and as well the General Secretary to be vied for by villages in Ataba ward Ten (10).
Accordingly, the order of distribution indicates that Vice Presidential slot would be vied for by contestants from Egwe-Okpan village as Organizing Secretary slot moves to Egwe—Aja while Ufaran vifiage will slug it out for the Financial Secretary’s seat with the Welfare Officer zoned to the Egwe-Ituk village.
Other positions as contained in the statement are the Public Relations Officer which shall be contested by contestants from Egwe-Isiyork village; Assistant General Secretary is slated for aspirants from Egwe-Ebe village as Auditor’s seat is zoned to the Egwe-Osot village. The statement further provides that Egwe-Aba is to produce the Treasurer of the organization while the position of Provost remains the slot for the Egwe-Ite.
Meanwhile, a non-refundable fee of N6,000 is tag for purchase of the presidential form while the Vice President is to purchase the form with N3,000. The Secretary and Assistant Secretary nomination forms are sold at N4,000 and N3,000 respectively. Similarly those vying for Financial Secretary, Organizing Secretary and Public Relation Officer shall purchase their forms with N3,000 each respectively. The statement further stated that nomination forms for office of Treasurer and Welfare Officer costs N2,000 each respectively as those running for the position of Provost and Auditor shall have their forms for N 1,500 each.
Acting in consonance with the provisions of Article 3:3,6 of the organization’s constitution as amended which stipulate the encouraging of female candidature in the organization’s affair, the electoral commission, however has declared N1,000 as nomination fee for female contestants for Treasurer and Welfare Officer respectively.
However, three designated centres for purchase of forms have been
provided. For those from ward 10 Mr. Gabriel Francis and Manson
John with 08053034500 and 08151146151 are incharge as Mr. Ata-Etip Japhet and Mr. Okikere Franklyn with 08076595414 and 08051310470 are incharge of ward 11 and Mr. Sunday Blessing on
07051929762 will coordinate those in Port Harcourt.
Eligible candidates for the election according to the statement must possess at least a minimum qualification of First Degree in any discipline to qualify for the post of President and Secretary respectively. While the Provost, Treasurer and Welfare Officers must posses at least First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) others have Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) as requisite qualification, adding that the election shall be by option A4 open ballot.
In his explanations on why the President and Secretary must possess minimum qualification of a first degree, chairman of the electoral commission, Ijeh Uche said the commission does not intend to witch hunt any candidate rather to add more value to the organization within and outside Ataba Kingdom in general, advising all to appreciate the gesture for the good of the kingdom.
Speaking further on the rules guiding conduct of the election, Mr. Uche posited that candidates or their supporters who behaves in manner likely to cause breach of peace during the election shall automatically be disqualified, adding that originals of candidate’s credentials must be sighted at screening even as candidate must possess a copy of the organization’s constitution.
Among other rules guiding the election as stated by the commission (eleco) age bracket of, 18 and 55 years is required of any candidate while candidates shall stand elected by a simple majority votes.
Poised to encourage and enhance grassroots development, The Newswriter is committed to bringing to the fore outcome of that elections. ####
