The Peoples Democratic Party has accused the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission of relocating collation and distribution centres in the Igabi local government area ahead of Saturday’s scheduled election.
Mohammed Yaro, chairman of the PDP Stakeholders Forum in Igabi, made the allegation on Friday during a courtesy visit to KADSIECOM headquarters in Kaduna.
Saratu Dikko-Audu, KADSIECOM chair, in a statement signed on Friday, said scheduled elections for the chairmanship and counsellorship positions would hold Saturday (today) in Chikun and Kajuru local government areas.
Others, including; Kachia and Soba local government areas, were on hold following pending cases at the courts, while Zangon Kataf and Birnin Gwari would not hold due to insecurity.
Mr Yaro said the forum was at the commission to formally submit a letter of complaint to the KADSIECOM boss and urge it to carry out its functions within the provisions of the law.
“The crux of the matter is about the undue relocation of collation and distribution centres of electoral wards in Igabi local government. The same was observed in the recent election and had an inconclusive situation in two of our wards, namely, Sabon Birni and Gwaraji wards,” said Mr Yaro. “The election is coming up tomorrow (today), and we realised that distribution centres were relocated to different locations.”
According to him, the PDP does not think the action is “in accordance with the law governing this election and the State guidelines.”
He urged KADSIECOM to rid itself of any external interference.
“We feel we can only participate in this election only when it is fair, transparent, and credible,” stated Mr Yaro.
Responding, Ms Dikko-Audu commended the delegation and assured that concerns raised would be looked into.
She, however, advised the PDP group to further channel its complaint to the police commissioner as the decisions bothered around the security of lives and prosperity.
(NAN)
