Following a stakeholders meeting at the Kano State police headquarters yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police and other security agencies declared that they are ready for the conduct of the February 3, 2024 supplementary election in the state.
The State House of Assembly rerun elections in three constituencies, made up of Kunchi/Tsanyawa, Kura/Garunmalam and Tofa/Rimin Gado, will involve six local governments.
Appeal Court verdicts had declared rerun elections in the affected constituencies.
Addressing newsmen at a joint press conference yesterday, Kano State’s INEC commissioner, Amb. Abdu Zango stated that training of adhoc staff has since commenced in the state, adding to that both sensitive and nonsensitive materials are all on ground.
“I am glad to report that all preparations towards the rerun elections coming up on 3rd of February are on course. The logistics and all others are on course.
“We have had meetings with all stakeholders, political parties, civil society, media and today we had a meeting with security agencies so that we devise strategies for a free, fair and credible election in a very secure environment.
” I have been given all assurances that things will go smoothly. I am dealing with professionals, they have done that before, they will do it again, I am very confident of the arrangement so far.
He further explained that as usual, National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members will serve as the adhoc field workers while the university dons will play their roles as the Returning Officers.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police Mohammed Usain Gumel explained that all security strategies have been put in place adding that only the federal government security agencies will partake in providing the necessary security required for the exercise.
“Today we are kick-starting the process of providing security for the upcoming elections in six local governments and three constituencies. We have received a briefing from the Resident Electoral Commissioner who has informed us of the number of polling units, which are 66 in number.
“As usual, the police always provide detailed protection orders, highlighting roles to be played by all security personnels to be involved in this operation.
“Be aware that we are not going to use personnel that are not members of the Nigerian Police Force and the relative federal government security agencies in this election. The Vigilante and similar other security outfits are not going to be part of this election.
“This is to ensure that the provision of security during the election will strictly be done by the police and other security agencies recognized by the law.
“With this, we are assuring you that this election will come and go like it had happened in the past, we have done it before, we have the capacity, we have the manpower and we have the resources. Our national headquarters is right behind us to provide us with all the logistics we require to ensure that the election is secure. We are good to go” he stated.
