Isyaku Ibrahim
Chairman of Kano State Independenct Electoral Commiission Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi says choosing rightful contestants by parties during Local Government Polls due to hold on the thirtieth of November will by no means help in making their job more easier as an autonomous organisation
The Academic who said the exercise is not a battle field as some have been saying but an avenue of testing popularity
The Chairman who was speaking at a gathering organized on the subject matter held at the office of the commission, stressed the need for the parties to conduct their parties primaries in a clean and conducive manner as doing so will assist in ensuring a hitch free exercise
Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi explained that on their part they will ensure credible and decent polls come November thirtieth, charging staffers to uphold fairness and neutrality in the discharge of their duties as according to him they would not hesitate to dismiss anyone found wanting
“I cautioned you to be impartial arbiters on the task ahead as the image and prestige of the Commission is at stake and I will not waste time in sacking anyone of you that messed up the Boss of the outfit emphasized ”
The two time Chairman enjoined parties on the need to ensure internal Democracy thrive in the course of their primaries so to curtail squabbles that may lead to endless litigationms at courts and balkanization
The Sociologist, called for support of one and all aimed at ensuring the success of the uphill task in view of the position of the state as the largest Democracy countrywide
Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi explained that they would continue to observe their their functions as enshrined in the constitution without fear or favour not minding what others may say
He described the date of the polls as rational and calcultive which he said was reached after much deliberation and due consultations
He drew the attention of the parties on the need to ensure a healthy rivalry, guard against thuggery, character assassination, pasting posters on public structures and places of worship as according to him the outfit has the alienable right to disqualify erring nominees
Based on the arrangement as outlined by the body which the Chairman said followed the ruling by the Supreme Court on Local Government autonomy, maintained that activities towards the Election which include release of guidelines, notification among others, will begin by fifteenth of this month and end on the thirty first
Campaign to commence on sixth of next month, party primaries and submission of names from nineteenth of September, sales of forms to kick start on second October to mention a few
Election at the graassroots which form part of the Democratic process, is beiing held after three years in the forty four Local Government councils of the State
The polls were aimed at balloting officials encompassing Chairmen and Councillors that will spear head interactions at the third tier of Government
