APC, PRP doubts KANSIEC will conduct free, fair election

Ahead of local government elections in Kano, opposition parties Thursday challenged the credibility of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) to conduct free and fair polls.

Besides, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) faulted the N10 million and N5 million placed on chairmanship and councilor nomination forms respectively.

KANSIEC chairman, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi while presenting election’s time table and guidelines to leadership of 19 political parties vowed to remain independent devoid of external interference.

Disclosed the council poll scheduled for 30th November 2024, commences with lifting of political campaign 6th September 2024, the KANSIEC boss explained that candidates aspiring for elective positions will be subjected to thorough scrutiny including drug test.

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Professor Malumfashi stressed that KANSIEC would monitor campaign activities of the parties which he urged should be strictly based on issues and devoid of violence.

According to him, “Political parties must adhere strictly to the guidelines and timeline of activities and processes leading to the election. We expect the parties to commence their campaign and their primaries between 6th and 30th September, 2024.

“I want to assure you that KANSIEC under my leadership will remain neutral and independent and we would not subject our self to any external interference. Nobody should approach me for bribe because the person will be exposed.”

Reacting, the state secretary of APC, Zakari Sarina, insisted the KANSIEC chairman lacked the moral credibility to conduct council poll and alleged that he (Malumfashi) remained a card carrying member of New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

Sarina said the APC does not have confidence in the leadership of the KANSIEC and would go any length to challenge the leadership legally, if the leadership is not replaced.

Similarly, Musa Maigari, PRP secretary rejected the high cost of nomination forms for both the chairmen and councillors and insisted the party will challenge it at the court.

“KANSIEC was wrong to charge such high cost for chairman and councillorship forms. It is an independent agency and the government should be able to fund it. We would not accept this from KANSIEC. We advise them to withdraw or challenge the action at the court,” Maigari said.