By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

The chairman of Kano State Independent  Electoral Commission (KANSIEC),  Prof. Sani Lawan Malunfashi, on Friday, told journalists that all arrangments have been concluded to conduct local government elections in the state on Saturday in line with the ruling of a Kano state  High Court on Friday.

He revealed that the main opposition party in the state,  the All Progressive Congress (APC), has since pulled out of the race as they boycotted all electoral processes and guidelines set out by the Commission.

According to him,  six political parties are participating in the election including NNPP,  ZLP, Accord Party, NRPM, AAC, and AA.

The KANSIEC chairman insisted that the  Commission is carrying out its activities under the ambits of the law, “every activity of the Commission is procedural. We are not partisan.”

He further urged KANSIEC staff and ad-hoc staff to resist any temptation of bribery and ensure that underage children are not allowed to vote.

Prof. Malunfashi also reminded politicians that vote-buying, thuggery, and other forms of violence contravene the state electoral guidelines.

He maintained that the expectation of all democrats and lovers of democracy is that Friday’s Kano High Court judgment gave a nod for the election to be respected.

Our Correspondent reports that earlier on Friday, Kano State High Court Number 15  affirmed the Jurisdiction of KANSIEC to conduct Kano State Local government polls, slated to be held on Saturday.

In his judgment, Justice Sanusi Ado Maaji averred that the Applicant (KANSIEC) has proved their case.

Our Correspondent reports that KANSIEC had approached the court seeking the Court to perpetually restrain the Defendants  (APC) from obstructing the local government electoral process.

He ruled that the Commission was established by the law that gives her statutory mandate to conduct elections.

The Court also ordered police to provide security during the exercise.

Prof. Sani Lawan Malunfashi.