The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, (KANSIEC) in North West Nigeria, has released the guidelines and timetable for the conduct of local government elections in the state.
The Chairman of the state’s electoral umpire, Professor Sani Lawan who announced this in Kano said the elections scheduled to be held on the 30th of November 2024 has 19 political parties participating in the election for the 44 area councils.
He explained that candidates vying for chairmanship positions will pay a non-refundable fee of N10 million naira while councilorship positions will pay N5 million naira.
While revealing the guidelines for the election, Professor Lawan said it spells out all the issues of qualification and disqualification of candidates.
He noted that the election guidelines stipulates that candidates vying for chairmanship positions must be adults of 30 years minimum of age while counsellors must be 25 years of age and above as well as card-carrying members of a political party.
Professor Lawan said that the candidates must not be ex-convicts, must be physically and mentally healthy and have at least a secondary school certificate.
“All the aspirants and candidates must not be drug addicts or members of secret societies.”
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Professor Lawan also declared that campaigns would commence on September 6 and conclude on October 31. He called on the political parties to ensure peaceful rallies.
“During campaigns, we want no disparaging and abusive comments.
Personal attacks during campaigns are discouraged in these guidelines.”
He urged candidates to be tolerant to one another and be civil and democratic in their campaigns.
“The campaigns should be issue-based and not personal attacks. We have pressing issues bedeviling this country and our state such as poverty, infrastructure, women and youth empowerment, inclusion of disadvantaged groups, among others. You should capitalize on this during the campaigns” Professor Lawan urged the parties.
He said the Commission will not condone violence or any lawless campaign that contradicts the election laws.
“Oral and physical attacks is discouraged in the election and punitive by law,” he warned.
The Chairman also emphasized that the commission would not condone corruption during the election adding that, “anybody who tried to bribe him or any of the officials would be exposed and punished.”
He also called on religious leaders to continue to preach peace and unity to the people during and after the elections for the progress of Kano state.
Emmanuel Ukoh
