Kano State Reschedules LG Elections Following Supreme Court Ruling

In response to a recent Supreme Court ruling mandating that states conduct Local Government Council elections no later than October 2024, the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSAIC) has rescheduled the state’s local government elections to 26th October 2024.

This announcement marks a significant adjustment in the electoral timetable, aligning with the court’s directive and ensuring compliance with the new legal framework.

Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, the chairman of KANSAIC, made the announcement on Friday during a press briefing at his office.

He explained that the rescheduled date is part of broader adjustments to the election timetable, which are necessary to meet the court’s requirements and to ensure a smooth and orderly electoral process.

The revised timetable, as outlined by Professor Malumfashi, introduces several changes to the electoral schedule, including the timing for the release of guidelines and notifications for the conduct of the elections.

Initially planned for 15th August 2024, this has now been pushed to 31st August 2024.

This adjustment allows political parties and candidates additional time to prepare for the elections under the new timeline.

Furthermore, the schedule for party primaries and the submission of candidates’ names to KANSAIC has also been revised.

The new dates for these critical activities are set between 3rd September 2024 and 14th September 2024.

During this period, political parties are expected to conduct their primaries and submit the names of their selected candidates to the Commission, ensuring that all procedures adhere to the stipulated guidelines.

The sales of forms which marks the official commencement of the candidate registration process, has been rescheduled to take place from 15th September 2024 to 26th September 2024.

This period is crucial for candidates who wish to contest in the elections, as they must purchase and complete the necessary forms within this timeframe.

Once completed, forms must be submitted between 27th September 2024 and 8th October 2024, allowing the Commission sufficient time to process and verify the applications.

Following the submission of forms, KANSAIC will carry out the verification of candidates between 9th October and 18th October 2024.

This process includes thorough scrutiny of the submitted documents to ensure all candidates meet the required qualifications and adhere to the election guidelines.

During this period, political parties are also expected to submit the names of their agents and make any necessary replacements or changes to their candidates.

The verification phase is essential to maintain the integrity of the election process, ensuring that only eligible and duly qualified candidates are allowed to participate.

The publication of the names of eligible candidates is scheduled for 20th October 2024 to 26th October 2024.

This phase marks the final confirmation of candidates who will be on the ballot, allowing the electorate to be informed of their choices ahead of the voting date.

The release of this information is also intended to promote transparency and provide the public with ample time to scrutinise the list of candidates.

The election day itself is set for 26th October 2024, a date which Professor Malumfashi stressed as fixed and non-negotiable in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling.

On this day, eligible voters across Kano State will head to the polls to elect their local government representatives.

KANSAIC has assured that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure a smooth and secure voting process, including the deployment of security personnel and the establishment of voting protocols designed to facilitate an orderly election.

Following the election, the declaration of results and any potential run-offs are planned to occur from 26th October 2024 to 9th November 2024.

This period allows for the counting of votes, resolution of any disputes, and the announcement of official results.

In cases where a clear winner is not determined, run-off elections will be conducted to finalise the electoral process.

Professor Malumfashi emphasised the Commission’s commitment to conducting a fair, transparent, and credible election in line with the revised schedule.

He reassured the public that KANSAIC is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of electoral integrity and ensuring that the voices of the people of Kano State are heard through a well-organised and legitimate electoral process.

The revised election timetable reflects KANSAIC’s efforts to adhere to the Supreme Court’s mandate while also providing adequate time for all electoral activities to be conducted smoothly and efficiently.

As Kano State prepares for the upcoming local government elections, the focus remains on ensuring that the process is inclusive, transparent, and reflective of the democratic will of the people.