CONFUSION LOOMS: INEC Declares Readiness for Kano By-Elections on February 3

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed its preparedness to conduct crucial by-elections in Kano, with the polls scheduled for February 3. Addressing stakeholders at the Kano state headquarters on Tuesday, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kano, Abdu Zango, outlined the arrangements for the by-elections set to take place in three state constituencies: Kunchi/Tsanyawa, Kura/Garun Malam, and Rimin Gado/Tofa, spanning six local government areas.

Zango assured transparency and credibility, stating, “We are fully ready for the bye-elections with our trained electoral personnel ready to conduct transparent and credible elections in six local government areas. We are conducting elections in 66 polling units across the six local government areas. Any person without a permanent voter’s card will not participate in the by-election.”

He emphasized that sensitive and non-sensitive materials have already been deployed to all affected local government areas, with the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) to ensure fair and credible elections. Zango expressed confidence in the success of the by-elections.

Commending the police’s role in ensuring security, Zango appreciated the efforts to safeguard the electoral process before and during the by-elections. Police Commissioner Hussaini Gumel confirmed the implementation of security measures, assuring visibility in all polling units to facilitate residents’ participation without threats to lives and property.

Gumel issued a warning to political party leaders, urging them to discourage violence, ballot snatching, and thuggery during the exercise. He emphasized that the police would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those disrupting the peaceful political atmosphere the state is known for.

The rerun for the state assembly in the six local government areas was ordered by the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on September 30.