The Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has announced that candidates contesting for chairmanship and councillorship positions in the November 30 Local Government elections will pay a non-refundable deposit of N10 million and N5 million, respectively.
The Chairman of the state’s electoral body, Prof. Sani Lawan Malumfashi, declared this during the presentation of election guidelines and the timetable to political party representatives at the Commission’s headquarters on Thursday.
He explained that a candidate contesting for the chairmanship position must pay N10 million to be qualified for the election, adding that the same applies to a councillorship candidate, who must pay N5 million to qualify.
Malumfashi stated that the guidelines spell out all the issues of qualification and disqualification of the candidates.
According to him, the guidelines contain the dos and don’ts of the election, warning that any party or candidate found committing election malpractice would be dealt with decisively.
Part of the guidelines, according to Mr. Malumfashi, is that aspirants for the chairmanship position must be 30 years and above.
Councillorship aspirants, he explained, must be 25 years and above, adding that they must all be card-carrying members of political parties.
“Chairmanship aspirants must not be bankrupt or ex-convicts. They must be physically and mentally healthy and obtain at least a secondary school certificate.
“All the aspirants and candidates must not be drug addicts or members of secret societies,” he explained.
Malumfashi also declared that campaigns would commence on September 6 and conclude on October 31, calling on the political parties to ensure peaceful rallies.
“During campaigns, we warn against disparaging and abusive comments. Personal attacks during campaigns are discouraged in these guidelines.
“You must be tolerant of one another. You should be civil and democratic in your campaigns. The campaigns should be issue-based, not personal attacks.
“We have pressing issues bedeviling this country, such as poverty, infrastructure, women and youth empowerment, and the inclusion of disadvantaged groups, among others. You should capitalize on these during the campaigns,” he urged the politicians.
“We will not condone violence, as it contradicts election laws. Personal oral and physical attacks are discouraged in the election and are punishable by law,” he warned.
The Chairman also emphasized that he would not condone corruption during the election, and anybody attempting to offer a bribe to him would be exposed and punished.
He reiterated the state’s commitment to holding the best Local Government election in the history of the state.
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