The Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC) on Wednesday said it has scheduled the local government elections in the state for Feb. 23.
The GOSIEC Chairman, Mr Caleb Maina, gave the indication at a meeting with political party leaders on Wednesday in Gombe.
Maina said that activities for the election had commenced with the announcement of the election date and the meeting with the political parties.
He said that electioneering and the collection of the CF002 forms and guidelines would commence on Jan. 17.
The time table indicated that the commission would appoint and train electoral officers and their assistants on Jan. 22, while parties participating in the polls would conduct their primaries on Jan. 28.
The guidelines also directed parties to submit the list of their candidates and purchase nomination forms from the commission on Jan. 30, and return the forms on Feb. 6.
Maina said the electioneering activities would end at midnight of Feb. 21, while election materials would be distributed to all the 11 local government areas on Feb. 22.
According to the guidelines, the election would hold from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 23.
Maina urged the parties to conduct their primaries within the time frame stipulated, and to ensure peace during the primaries and election proper.
The chairman assured the people of the state of a ``fair and credible elections’’.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that most of the party leaders complained that the time given for the election was too short.
Mr Abdu Baba, the Chairman, Congress for Political Change, said the programme was loaded and could not allow the parties enough time, to ensure primaries and conduct of the elections.
``We have the feelings that there are some intrigues somewhere.
``You are giving us two to three days to conduct primaries in all the 114 wards in the state, and considering the lean resources to do that.
``We vehemently opposed to your programmes because you did not consider our interest,'' he said.
The CPC chieftain said leaders of the parties would meet after the GOSIEC meeting, to decide what would be the final response to the timetable.
Abu Abba, the Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), said no party would be able to meet the deadline set by the GOSIEC.
Responding, Maina said the commission was working in line with the laws enacted by the State House of Assembly.
NAN