The Niger State Independent Electoral Commission has vowed that banditry activities will not prevent any resident from voting in Saturday’s local government election, despite ongoing security challenges in parts of the state.
Jibril Imam, the commission’s chairman, made the pledge on Thursday during the distribution of sensitive election materials in Minna, assuring that adequate arrangements had been made to reach all voters, including those in hard-to-reach areas.
“Nobody in the local government areas where there are banditry activities will be disenfranchised, and we have provided boats to ensure that election materials get to riverine communities on time,” Imam said.
Several local government areas in Niger State have been affected by bandit attacks, with residents of Alawa Local Government Area reportedly abandoning their homes due to persistent insecurity. Many now live in internally displaced persons camps.
Imam disclosed that sensitive materials were being transported early to avoid logistical problems, whilst non-sensitive materials had already been delivered to the 25 Local Government Electoral Officers.
“The commission is ready for the election in partnership with the security agencies,” he said.
The chairman revealed that NSIEC had deployed 5,249 ad hoc staff, who had been trained to work across the various local government areas.
“The materials are being distributed to the 4,950 polling units, 274 wards, and the 25 local government areas, consisting of both councillorship and chairmanship election materials for the elections,” Imam explained.
He added that returning officers, supervisors, and polling clerks had been stationed in every polling unit and ward, including all 25 local governments.
Imam stated that full constitutional procedures were strictly followed to prevent complaints, noting that none had been recorded from political parties, security agencies, or observers.
The chairman also urged political actors, especially political parties, to adhere strictly to the peace accord they signed, assuring them of a level playing field.
