Preparations for the conduct of the next Local Government Area Council elections in Bauchi State have reached advanced and final stages as the State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC), on Saturday, commenced the distribution of election materials to all 20 Local Government Areas ahead of Monday’s elections.

Speaking during the flag-off of the distribution at the Commission’s headquarters in Bauchi, BASIEC Chairperson, Hajiya Jummai Abubakar, said logistics for the exercise had been concluded and vehicles deployed to convey the materials to all parts of the State.

She told Journalists, “You have seen the preparations. All the vehicles that are to convey the equipment are ready to move.”

Jummai Abubakar also said that both sensitive and non-sensitive materials, including ballot papers, result sheets, ballot boxes and other electoral equipment, were being dispatched under security escort.

She prayed for a peaceful process and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to credible, free and fair elections.

According to her, “We pray that everything will go well, Insha Allah. The commission is determined to ensure a hitch-free exercise.”

The BASIEC Chairperson urged eligible voters to come out en masse to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation, announcing that voting would take place between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm.

“I am appealing to the people to come out and vote for candidates of their choice. Voting will be from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm,” she stated.

Jummai Abubakar thanked stakeholders, security agencies and the media for their support in the preparations.

The distribution followed BASIEC’s earlier assurance of a level playing field for all political parties participating in the election.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in the state, Khalid Arewa, expressed confidence in the process.

According to him, “From what we have observed, the distribution is ongoing. Given the situation on ground, we are confident that, Insha Allah, the election will be credible, free and devoid of ambiguity”.

Khalid Arewa, who is the presidential running mate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), disclosed that 15 out of the 22 registered political parties in the State had purchased nomination forms and would participate in the polls.

He called on eligible voters to go to their respective polling stations and cast their votes for their preferred candidates, saying that is the beauty of democracy. (Nigerian Tribune)