By James Danjuma, Katsina
More than six years after Local Government officials were dissolved, the Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission (KASIEC) has slated April 11 for the conduct of council polls in the state.
KASIEC Chairman, Ibrahim Bako who made this known Tuesday evening at a press briefing with Journalist, said rallies and campaign are to commence immediately.
Bako said guidelines and timetable for the exercise would soon be distributed and that a stakeholders’ meeting would also be held soon on modalities for the election.
He said, “It is my pleasure to officially announce that we slated Monday 11th April, 2022 to conduct the Local Government Councils Election in the State.
“The notice is with immediate effect from 11th January to 11th April, 2022 giving ninety days (90) notice in compliance with the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.”
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He warned that KASIEC would only recognise candidates formally selected by political parties to contest in the polls.
“With this notice, all stakeholders particularly, Political Parties should note that only a candidate(s) sponsored by Political Party will officially be considered to contest the Election,” he said.
He also called on political parties to play the political game according to existing statutes, even as he assured that the polls would be held even in security challenged communities.
Recall that the All Progressive Congress- led (APC) state government had dissolved officials at the 34 councils more than six years ago, due to alleged misappropriation of public funds.
The dissolved officials and the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose platform they were elected, went to court and the case lasted more than five years.
But the case was resolved at the Supreme Court, where the state government was asked to pay the dissolved officials their entitlements.
