The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has announced a reduction in the nomination fees for chairmanship and councillorship candidates in the upcoming local government elections.
This decision, which came following a court order, was disclosed by the Commission’s chairman, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, at a press conference in Kano on Friday.
LEADERSHIP reports a Federal High Court in Abuja had restrained KANSIEC from charging or imposing N10million and N5million from contestants into the offices of Chairman/Vice Chairman and Councillorship in the forthcoming local government election.
The suit was instituted by the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
According to Malumfashi, the fee for chairmanship nomination has been lowered to N9 million from the initial N10 million. Similarly, candidates vying for councillorship positions will now pay N4 million instead of N5million.
He emphasised that the revised fees apply to both the chairmanship candidates and their running mates. The chairman also encouraged aspiring candidates to promptly visit banks to purchase the nomination forms, which are now available.
“We have complied with the court’s order, and the forms can be obtained at the new fees,” Malumfashi reiterated.
The Chairman also said the commission welcomed the decision of opposition parties to participate in the October 26 local government elections.
“This is a beauty of democracy. However, they must play the game according to the rules. The campaigns should be issue-based, not violent and attacks.
Professor Malumfashi also announced that primary elections begins on Saturday September 14. “We therefore expect parties to submit candidates list.”
