Governorship Election: INEC Commences Distribution of Sensitive Materials in Kano
Jack Acheme, Kano.
Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines in Kano state, North-west Nigeria, ahead of the Governorship and State Assembly election scheduled to hold in 28 states across the country on the 18th March, 2023.
The Head of Department, Electoral Operations, at the Kano state office of the INEC, Sulieman Yaro, while supervising the distribution of the materials at the state branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said the excercise was going on smoothly beginning with local government areas that were far away from the state headquarters.
He said the strategy will enhance early commencement of voting on the election day.
“We are here to distribute sensitive materials for the State Governoship and State Assembly election to be conducted on the 18th of March, 2023.
“So far, so good; there is no issue. We have been distributing the ballot papers and other materials to all the forty-four (44) local government areas in the state. We started with local government areas like Doguwa, Tudun Wada and Rogo, which are very far away.
“All logistic arrangements have been made and concluded. We have talked to the electoral officers, while the transport unions have been quickly told to do the needful.
“BVAS machines have also been moved to the local government areas,” he assured.
The distribution and transportation of the sensitive materials were strictly monitored by security operatives and political party representatives.
Professor Sani Lawal Mulumfashi representing the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) said the process as observed was carried out in a transparent manner, stressing that commencing the distribution with Doguwa, Tudun-Wada and Rogo local government areas, which are further away from the centre of the ancient commercial city of Kano, is a right step in the right direction.
“As you can see the materials are already being distributed. One of the vans is for Doguwa local government area, which is one of the farthest local government areas.
“The distribution, though started one hour late of the scheduled 9 a.m (local time) on Wednesday, everything is going on transparently and materials are available for the 44 local government areas.
“We are here to see, observe and assess. And we are being given the much expected cooperation by the INEC,” said the NNPP repsentative, Professor Sani Lawal Mulumfashi.