INEC steps up preparations for Kano Assembly bye-elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says at least 10 political parties have so far submitted candidates for the forthcoming House of Assembly bye-elections in Kano State, following the death of two lawmakers last month.
The parties include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), African Action Congress (AAC), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Accord Party, Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Good Party, Action Alliance, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Abdu Zango, Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner,  disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing journalists after a stakeholders’ meeting at the INEC office in Kano.

According to Zango, the deadline for submission of candidates closed on Wednesday, with most political parties completing their nominations before the cut-off date.

“We have received nominations as of yesterday, and whether others are coming is now a matter for the national office of INEC,” he said.

He explained that while nominations were submitted at the state level, the uploading of candidates’ details is being handled online by the parties’ national headquarters at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

“As it stands, we cannot categorically state the final number of political parties that will participate. That decision rests with INEC headquarters after the uploading process is concluded. So far, nominations have been received from 10 political parties,” Zango added.

The REC assured residents that preparations for the bye-elections are in top gear, stressing INEC’s commitment to conducting a transparent and credible exercise.

“We urge the people of Kano State to come out en masse to exercise their franchise. INEC remains fully committed to delivering free, fair, and credible elections,” he said.

Zango further revealed that INEC had supervised the party primaries that produced the candidates, noting that reports from election monitors would also be reviewed alongside uploaded documents before final validation.

On questions surrounding which faction of the NNPP would be recognised for the elections, the REC clarified that the determination of authentic candidates lies with INEC’s legal department in Abuja.

“The legal department will examine all submissions, including reports from officials who monitored the primaries, before taking a final decision,” he said.

He added that the full list and number of candidates would only be known after the uploading window officially closes and all submissions are verified by INEC headquarters