August 14, (THEWILL) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State has expressed readiness to conduct free, fair and credible bye-elections and rerun polls in Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa state constituencies scheduled for Saturday.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday in Kano, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Abdul Zango, said integrity, accountability, transparency, and non-partisanship would guide the exercise.
“We are determined to conduct free, fair and credible elections. Integrity is the key word. We have zero tolerance for lack of accountability, transparency or partisanship.
“The only political party we recognize are the citizens, and whoever they choose is the person we will declare,” Zango said.
He disclosed that non-sensitive election materials were deployed to the concerned local governments three weeks ago, already batched according to registration areas and polling units, while sensitive materials had arrived and would be distributed to the councils by Thursday evening.
The REC assured that adequate security arrangements had been made, with massive deployment of personnel to ensure peaceful and hitch-free polls.
He added that political parties participating in the elections had pledged to conduct themselves responsibly.
“Our major concern is the political class, and I have just finished meeting with them.
“I received total commitment and assurance on their part that they would conduct themselves responsibly. For once, I am confident we will have peaceful elections devoid of violence,” he stated.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
