Bauchi electoral commission fixes August 17 for LG election

The Bauchi state Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) has fixed August 19 for local government elections.

Ahmad Makama, chairman of the state commission, announced the date at a press briefing in Bauchi on Tuesday.

NAN reports that Makama said BASIEC is committed to ensuring a credible election, adding that all necessary arrangements have been concluded to ensure the process is transparent.

He urged citizens to come out and vote for their preferred candidates across all parties on election day.

Makama said the commission had organised a series of meetings with political parties, security chiefs, and relevant stakeholders as part of the election preparations.

He urged the public to support the commission to ensure hitch-free local government elections.

OCTOBER 19 FOR KOGI LG ELECTION

Also, the Kogi state Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) announced October 19 for the conduct of its LG election.

Mamman Nda-Eri, KOSIEC chairman, said the announcement was made under the provisions of the constitution.

Nda-Eri said the collection of forms by political parties will be from August 5 to 12, while the conduct of primaries, including dispute resolutions, is to be held between August 13 and 23.

He added that August 26 will be the last day for the submission of forms, while verification of documents will be held between September 4 and 12.

This is coming on the heels of the recent supreme court judgment, which declared the caretaker committee running the affairs of local government areas in the country illegal.

A seven-member panel of justices held that state governments have continued to abuse their powers by retaining and using the funds meant for LGAs.

The apex court also ordered the federal government to withhold allocations of LGs governed by unelected officials appointed by the governor.

As a result of the judgment, Delta, Kogi, Adamawa, and Imo states have raced to fix and conduct their LG polls.