The Niger State Independent Electoral Commission, NSIEC, says it is fully prepared to conduct the Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday across the 25 LGAs of the state.
Chairman of the Commission, Mr Mohammed Imam, announced this during a press briefing in Minna as sensitive election materials were distributed to all polling units.
Mr Imam said a total of 4,950 polling units and 274 wards would be used for the elections, with over 10,000 ad-hoc staff deployed to ensure smooth conduct.
He explained that “the election will be conducted using a manual accreditation process rather than electronic methods.”
He said that 10 political parties will participate in the polls, noting that the Commission observed all party primaries in line with the Electoral Act to ensure transparency and fairness.
Mr Imam emphasised that the Commission has maintained strict adherence to its election timetable since it was released on March 6, shortly after the Commission’s inauguration.
“We have reached a major milestone with the distribution of sensitive materials to all local government areas,” he said.
Mr Imam said; “This process is being carried out under the supervision of security agencies, political party representatives, and accredited observers to ensure the materials reach their destinations safely and on time.”
The Chairman assured residents that all necessary measures have been put in place to guarantee a free, fair, and credible election.
He commended the cooperation received from political parties, security agencies, and the media for their roles in ensuring a peaceful build-up to the polls.
Mr Imam also urged all political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully, reminding them that “elections should be a contest of ideas, not a battlefield.”
He reaffirmed the NSIEC’s commitment to conducting an election that reflects the would of the people and upholds public confidence in the democratic process.
Meanwhile, Electoral officers from the 25 local governments have received the materials and have begun distributing them to polling units ahead of Saturday’s vote.