Governor Douye Diri has urged the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) to conduct fair and credible local government elections.
Mr Diri made the call while swearing in the chairman and members of the commission in Yenagoa on Wednesday.
He said as the closest tier of government to the people, council leadership should emerge through the people’s will.
The governor urged the commission to perform its role in a manner that would make it a reference point in the country.
The governor also inaugurated the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission.
Mr Diri urged the newly-inaugurated civil service commission to enliven service delivery.
“It is your duty to strengthen the system and make it more productive. Every government needs an active civil service to deliver,” the governor said.
Responding, BYSIEC chair Peter Singabele pledged the commitment of his team to deliver fair and credible council elections in Bayelsa.
He said that as an umpire, the commission had no business being unfair, saying, “Our job is to ensure a free, fair and credible process.”
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