By Caleb Jacob
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to conduct a rerun election in 10 polling units in Kano State.
The rerun election will be held in Tsanyawa/Ghari constituency, formerly known as Tsanyawa/Kunchi constituency, after the conclusion of the ongoing consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Grassroots Parrot recalled that the Kano State House of Assembly recently renamed Kunchi Local Government Area as Ghari LGA.
The election body also noted that it will also conduct a bye-election for Bagwai/Shanono state constituency following the death of a member representing the constituency, Alh. Halilu Ibrahim Kundila.
Abdul A. Zango, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano, said these on Tuesday during the maiden quarterly consultative meeting with stakeholders.
Zango noted that the bye-election was disrupted by over 10, 000 thugs who held their members hostage in 2023.
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The INEC boss said, despite knowing those who sponsored the thugs during the elections, it is not part of its responsibility to disclose such candidates.
While fielding questions from a participant at the stakeholders meeting, Zango disclosed that during the 2023 general elections, INEC and the Commissioner of Police encountered over 400 thugs imported from Dala to disrupt the election in a particular area.
He added that it was diplomatic for INEC to conceal the identities of the known thug sponsors, adding that even the police are reluctant to reveal their identities.
The REC, however, hinted at a plan to conduct a public lecture with stakeholders against political thuggery in Kano.
Zango, however, specifically appealed to the political class for their cooperation towards the peaceful conduct of the elections after the conclusion of activities and an appropriate date was fixed.
The stakeholder consultative meeting was still ongoing as of the time of filing this report around noon on Tuesday.