INEC, security agencies ready for Kano Ungogo, Municipal by-elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies have expressed readiness for the forthcoming by-elections in Ungogo and Kano Municipal local government areas of Kano State. Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano, Ambassador Abdu Zango, gave the assurance after a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security held at the Police headquarters, […]

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies have expressed readiness for the forthcoming by-elections in Ungogo and Kano Municipal local government areas of Kano State.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano, Ambassador Abdu Zango, gave the assurance after a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security held at the Police headquarters, Bompai in Kano.

Zango said the meeting was convened to review preparations, particularly security arrangements, ahead of the polls.

“We are here at the final meeting of the inter-agency committee on election security to round up our preparations, especially to look at the security arrangements,” he said.

He added that security agencies were earlier directed to draw up a joint operational plan for the exercise, which has now been submitted and reviewed.

“They have done so, and we are satisfied. We are ready to go. I have been assured by the police and other security agencies that there will be adequate security for these by-elections,” he said.

The REC expressed confidence that the elections would be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, urging eligible voters in the affected areas to come out and cast their votes without fear.

“All sensitive and non-sensitive materials have arrived in the local government areas, staff have been deployed and we are fully prepared,” he added.

Also speaking, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, said security agencies had concluded all necessary arrangements to ensure hitch-free polls.

“Our resolution is to conduct free and fair elections. We have concluded our arrangements with all stakeholders and we are satisfied,” he said.

Bakori said there is no known security threat ahead of the elections but assured that security personnel would be deployed across the affected areas to maintain law and order. The by-elections are scheduled to hold on Saturday.