The stage is set for Monday’s local government elections in Bauchi State. Sensitive electoral materials have been distributed for deployment across the state’s 20 local government areas. The state government has subsequently declared Monday work-free day. The Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) said 15 political parties had completed arrangements to participate in the election scheduled for August 17. The commission’s chairperson, Hajiya Jummai Salamatu Abubakar, disclosed this on Saturday in Bauchi while overseeing the commencement of the distribution of sensitive materials. She said the materials would be moved under tight security to the various local government areas before being delivered to the polling units. According to her, voting would commence at 8am and close at 3pm, urging eligible residents to turn out and exercise their franchise. “We have made adequate arrangements to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully and credibly across the state,” Abubakar said. She explained that chairmanship elections would take place in 19 of the 20 local government areas, while councillorship elections would be conducted in all 20 councils. Shira Local Government Area will be the exception to the chairmanship contest, as the position was already filled through an earlier by-election. The distribution exercise was witnessed by representatives of the participating political parties, who received the materials on behalf of electoral officials for onward deployment. The Secretary of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Khalid Arewa, said the participating parties were satisfied with the preparations so far. “We have full confidence that, Insha Allah, this election will be credible, rancour free, fair and just,” Arewa said. He also confirmed that 15 political parties had purchased nomination forms and were set to participate in the election. Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Police Command said it had deployed personnel across the state as part of measures to protect voters, electoral officials, materials and other stakeholders. The command pledged that its personnel would maintain professionalism and neutrality while respecting the rights of citizens throughout the electoral process. In a separate development, Governor Bala Mohammed declared Monday a work free day across the state. The government said the decision was intended to give civil and public servants the opportunity to participate in the local government elections. The declaration means government offices across Bauchi will be shut on election day as residents prepare to elect chairmen in 19 councils and councillors across all 20 local government areas.
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