The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (YSIEC) has shifted the state local government council election from November 2023 to May 25.

Mamman Mohammed, the commission’s chairman, stated this at a news conference in Damaturu on Wednesday.

Mr Mohammed said that the commission had also budgeted N500 million for the conduct of the election.

“Governor Mai Mala Buni has graciously approved the state Independent Electoral Commission to adjust the election date for the 17 chairmen and 178 councillors of local government councils in Yobe to May 25.

“This is in consonance with the provision of Section 197 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended,” he said.

The chairman said all qualified aspirants across registered political parties were free to contest.

“All Yobe people are allowed to contest for the councillorship and chairmanship after attaining the age of 25 and 30 without gender bias, being sane, not corrupt, and being residents of the community.

“Candidates must also possess the minimum educational qualification of a secondary school certificate or its equivalence and must undergo security screening, with a fee of N300,000, 250,000 and N200,000 for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillor aspirants,” Mr Mohammed said.

He said political parties would be issued with election guidelines to enable them to present reputable and qualified candidates.

The chairman called on the media to give adequate publicity for the election, urging security agencies to ensure that all polling units were well protected.

(NAN)