The Kwara State Government has charged the State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) to adhere strictly to the rules in conducting free, fair, credible and generally accepted local government election in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Mahe Abdulkadir, who gave the advice while declaring open a 2-day Retreat for the staff of the Commission, stressed the need for the Commission to live above board in creating a level playing ground for all political parties in the coming poll.
The Secretary to the State Government who assured that the state government would provide all necessary tools to aid the conduct of the local government election, advised the state election umpire to carry all stakeholders along.
According to him,” The task before you is a no means assignment that should be taken seriously. You should carry everyone along. Listen to all comments, be properly informed and handle the assignment with dedication.
“Government will provide you with all necessary tools that will assist you in conducting free,fair and credible election”.
The Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Okanla Baba, explained that the purpose of the retreat was to get staff of the Commission acquainted with critical factors that would aid credible election.
He also spoke of the Commission’s readiness to conduct free, fair, credible and generally accepted local government election in the state.
Also speaking, the Commissioner in-charge of Media and Publicity, Engr Salami Hassan Taiye, informed that the Retreat was organized by the Commission in collaboration with Independent National Election (INEC) to get participants informed about process of conducting generally accepted poll.
He further assured members of the public that the Commission is committed to ensuring a level playing field for all, stressing that the commission as an unbiased umpire would not discriminate against anyone.
Resource persons at the Retreat, Prof Hassan Salihu and others took participants through rudiments that would aid credible and generally accepted election.