Kano State Electoral Commission Vows to Conduct Free and Fair Local Government Elections

In a bid to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting the upcoming local government elections without any external interference. Prof. Sani Malumfashi, Chairman of the commission, made this declaration while addressing journalists at the commission’s headquarters in Kano on Friday.

Prof. Malumfashi emphasized that the commission is resolute in its determination to conduct free and fair local government elections, scheduled to take place on October 26 across the state’s 44 local governments. Six registered political parties, including the NNPP, ZLP, Accord Party, NRPM, AAC, and AA, will be participating in the elections, while the All Progressives Congress has opted not to take part.

In a stern warning, Prof. Malumfashi stated that the commission will operate independently, unfettered by external influences, and will not tolerate any attempts at bribery. "The commission will operate independently in conducting the local government elections in the state; nobody is going to interfere with our activities. Similarly, nobody should approach us with a bribe. If people approach us with a bribe, we are going to expose them; we did it before, we will do it again," he cautioned.

To ensure the smooth implementation of all electoral processes, Prof. Malumfashi urged candidates to impress upon their supporters the need to shun violence and cooperate with the commission. He also reiterated that vote-buying and the use of political thugs before, during, and after the election are strictly prohibited.

In a call to action, the chairman urged stakeholders, including politicians, traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, civil society organizations, security agencies, and the media, to cooperate with the commission to make the election credible, peaceful, and hitch-free. "We said no to bribery, vote-buying, and thuggery before, during, and after the elections," he emphasized.

Furthermore, Prof. Malumfashi encouraged candidates to preach peace to their supporters and warned against electoral malpractice during the exercise. He commended the media for mobilizing residents to participate in the elections, acknowledging the crucial role they play in promoting democratic processes.

As Kano State prepares for the local government elections, the Electoral Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness is a welcome development. The commission’s resolve to conduct free and fair elections bodes well for the state’s democratic institutions and the citizens who will be participating in the electoral process.