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 non-refundable N10 million and N5 million deposit respectively.
The Chairman of the state’s electoral umpire, Prof. Sani Lawan Malumfashi declared this during the presentation of election guidelines and timetable to political parties representatives at the Commission’s headquarters on Thursday.
He explained that a candidate contesting for chairmanship position must pay N10 million to be qualified for the election, adding that same applies to councilorship candidate who must pay N5 million to qualify.
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Malumfashi stated that the guidelines spells out all the issues of qualification and disqualification of the candidates.
According to him, the guidelines contains dos don’ts of the election, warning that any party or candidates found committing election malpractice would be decisively dealt with.
Part of the guidelines, according to Mr Malumfashi, is that aspirants for 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 a political parties.
“Chairmanship aspirants must not be bankrupt, ex-convict. They must be physically and mentally healthy and obtain at least secondary school certificate.
“All the aspirants and candidates must not be drug addict and not a member 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, no disparaging and abusive comments. Personal attacks during campaigns are discouraged in this guidelines.
“You must be tolerant to one another. You should be civil and democratic in your campaigns. The campaigns should be issue-based not personal attacks.
“We have pressing issues bidevilling this country, such as poverty, infrastructure, women and youth empowerment, inclusion of disadvantaged groups, among others, you should capitalize on this during the campaigns,” he urged the politicians.
“We will not condone violence and it contradicts election laws. Personal oral and physical attacks is discouraged in the election and punitive by law,” he warned.
The Chairman also emphasized that he would not condone corruption during the election and anybody try to offer bribe to him would be exposed and make sure is punished.
He rest state commitment to hold the best Local Government election in the history of the state.
BIZPOINT