The Chairman of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, Hajiya Hajara Mohammed, reassured stakeholders of the commission’s commitment to conducting free, fair, peaceful, and credible local government elections.
On Saturday, Mohammed addressed a stakeholders’ engagement and sensitization meeting, emphasizing the commission’s neutrality and lack of plans to rig the election. She urged politicians to refrain from violence and hate speech during the campaign period.
The chairman called on all political parties to support officials assigned to their constituencies, ensuring a smooth electoral process. The elections are scheduled for October 19, 2024.
Mohammed encouraged political parties to accept defeat graciously, noting that there will always be another election. She sought the voting public’s cooperation.
A mild drama unfolded during the meeting when Barrister Mahmud Lawal Ismail, Chairman of the State Assembly’s House Committee on Education, claimed the All Progressives Congress would win all 23 local government chairmanship positions.
Leaders of opposing parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party protested Ismail’s statement. PDP State Chairman Edward Marshal condemned the comment, advocating for democracy and fairness.
Marshal expressed optimism about the PDP’s chances in the election, despite concerns about the commission’s handling of electoral processes.
“There is no plan to rig the election; that is why we have been working tirelessly to ensure a level playing field for all candidates. Our plea to the voting public is for their full cooperation,” she said.
