Kwara LG Polls: Government calls on electoral body to ensure fair elections

The Kwara State Government has called upon the State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) to diligently uphold the principles of conducting free, fair, credible, and widely accepted local government elections in the state.

Alhaji Abdulkadir Aliyu Mahe, the former Secretary to the State Government and current Chief of Staff to the Governor, emphasized the need for the electoral body to maintain high standards, ensuring an even playing field for all political parties in the upcoming elections.

Mahe pledged that the state government would provide the necessary resources to support the successful execution of the local government elections and urged the state election commission to engage with all stakeholders.

He stated, “The task before us is an assignment that should be taken seriously. You should involve everyone. Listen to all perspectives, stay well-informed, and carry out the assignment with dedication. The government will equip you with all the necessary tools to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.”

Mallam Okanla Baba, the commission’s chairman, clarified that the retreat’s purpose was to familiarize the commission’s staff with essential factors that would contribute to a credible election. He expressed the commission’s readiness to organize free, fair, credible, and broadly accepted local government elections in the state.

Eng H. T. Salami, the Commissioner in charge of Media and Publicity, explained that the retreat was a collaborative effort between the electoral body and the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to educate participants about the procedures for conducting widely acceptable polls.

Salami further assured the public that the commission is dedicated to creating a level playing field for all and emphasized that the commission, as an impartial referee, would not show bias against anyone.

During the retreat, resource persons like Prof Hassan Salihu and others provided insights into the fundamentals that would ensure credible and broadly accepted elections.