Kano Assembly By-Election: INEC Ready to Conduct Election in Three Constituencies – REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano state North West Nigeria says, preparations are on top gear for the February 3 bye-elections for the State Assembly in Kunchi/Tsanyawa, Kura/Garin Malam, and Rimin Gado/Tofa.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner Abdu Zango made this known, while addressing to stakeholders in Kano.

He said, the commission is fully ready for the bye-election with trainings for electoral personnel concluded for a transparent and credible election for the conduct of bye-elections in the six local government areas.

He said, “We are fully ready for the bye-election with our trained electoral personnel ready to conduct a transparent and credible election for the conduct of bye-elections in six local government areas. 

Zango explained that, the commission is conducting elections in 66 polling units across the six local government areas of the state. 

He said, “any person without a permanent voter card will not be allowed to participate in the forthcoming bye-election.”

Utilized for the rerun

In order to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, Zango noted that the BIVAS machine would be utilised for the rerun polls.

“We have prepared and equipped our personnel with basic electoral knowledge for the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections come February 3,” he said.

Also, the State Police Commissioner Usaini Gumel expressed the readiness of the command in implementing security protocols to guarantee smooth elections in the affected Local Government Areas.

Represented by Hamma Abdullahi, the CP explained that, all polling places would have police presence, allowing eligible citizens of the six local government areas to take part in the exercise without fear for their safety or property.

He called on political party leaders and those running for offices to play according to the rules, urging them to persuade their followers to abstain from all forms of political violence, ballot snatching, and thuggery throughout the election process.

The Appeal Court in Abuja had on September 30, declared elections in the three state constituencies inconclusive, and ordered INEC to conduct a rerun in the six local governments.

Lateefah Ibrahim