The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that 10 political parties will take part in the forthcoming Kano State House of Assembly by-elections slated for February 21.
9news Nigeria reports that the Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Abdu Zango, disclosed this on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Kano.
Zango said the commission had successfully received nominations from 10 registered political parties contesting the polls in Kano Municipal and Ungogo Local Government Areas.
According to the REC, the political parties cleared to participate in the by-elections include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), African Action Congress (AAC), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Good Party, Action Alliance (AA), Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
He explained that although nominations were submitted at the state level, the uploading of candidates’ details was being carried out by the national headquarters of the parties through INEC’s official online portal.
Zango further disclosed that INEC had deployed monitors from its national headquarters to oversee party primaries conducted in the affected constituencies.
He noted that the commission had not received any adverse reports from the monitored primaries so far.
“Our officers were on the ground to monitor the primaries, and up till now, there has been no negative report submitted to the commission,” he said.
Addressing concerns over internal crises within some political parties, particularly the NNPP, the REC said INEC had not been officially notified of any development that could affect the recognition of party executives or the primaries conducted.
According to him, the commission is guided strictly by court orders and legal instruments, stressing that no injunction had been served on INEC.
“We are not aware of any court injunction. INEC’s responsibility is guided strictly by the law and reports from duly monitored primaries,” Zango stated.
The REC disclosed that the by-elections would be conducted in two state constituencies covering Kano Municipal and Ungogo LGAs.
He added that the exercise would involve over 535,000 registered voters, who are expected to cast their ballots across more than 1,000 polling units.
Zango assured stakeholders of INEC’s commitment to conducting a credible, transparent and peaceful election, urging political parties and voters to comply with electoral guidelines.
