3 hours ago
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The Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Zango Abdu, has expressed readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold the state assembly bye-election in Bagwai, Shanono, and Ghari (Kunchi) local government areas this Saturday.
He disclosed this at a press briefing in Kano on Thursday.
Abdu said both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials had already been distributed to the local governments.
“Non-sensitive materials have been at the local governments for three weeks, batched according to registration areas and polling units.”
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), added that sensitive materials have also arrived and will be moved to the local governments this evening in the presence of party agents and security officials.
He also disclosed that all ad hoc staff had finished their training and been deployed, while security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security had promised adequate deployment to ensure safety.
“Stop-and-search operations and police deployments have already commenced in the affected areas,” he added.
He further revealed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices had been configured and tested for use during the election.
“Voter’s card is the only mandatory requirement. If your card is not recognised by BVAS, you will not be allowed to vote. There will be no alternative procedure,” he warned.
He reiterated INEC’s commitment to a free, fair, and credible process.
“Our major concern is the political class. They have signed a peace accord and assured us they will conduct themselves responsibly. Violence adds no value to the process, and citizens must be allowed to freely choose their leaders,” he said.
On result collation, Abdu explained that results from polling units would be announced at the units before being taken to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) for collation and declaration.
He said the Ghari supplementary poll will take place in 10 polling units with 5,200 registered voters and final collation and declaration will take place at INEC headquarters to avoid previous experiences.
