Kano Electoral Commission set dates for LG elections, to conduct drugs test on candidates

The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSAIC) has set November 30 for the conduct of local government elections in the state, promising to conduct free and fair elections without external influences.

Releasing the election guidelines, the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, said the notification of the election will be issued on November 15. Nomination forms will be available from October 1 to October 11, with submission of the forms due by October 18, 2024.

He noted that the screening of candidates will take place from October 18 to October 20, while the list of eligible candidates will be released on October 24. The elections will follow thereafter.

“We plan to release the results of the winners by December 10, 2024. This announcement is made under Section 103, Subsections 3 and 1 of the Electoral Act and the powers conferred on the Commission under Paragraph 3(4) of Part II, Third Schedule, Section 3(1) of the Kano Local Government Law 2004,” Professor Malumfashi stated.

He noted that the elections are being conducted following a Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, and the conduct will be in accordance with the law.

Professor Malumfashi also announced that candidates are barred from placing their posters on places of worship, schools, and government buildings. Anyone violating these rules will be punished.

The Commission expects all 19 parties to participate.

Noting the importance of security, he added that the Commission will work closely with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election. Kano, with 44 local governments and over 7 million voters, presents significant security challenges, particularly in light of current economic difficulties.

The commission will recruit about 13,000 ad-hoc staff to manage 11,000 polling units.