Political parties contesting the 2023 general election were absent yesterday when the stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliberate on the proposed Mock Accreditation Exercise Using BVAS took place.
The commission had summoned the political parties, civil society groups, the media, security agencies and other critical stakeholders with the intent to discuss on how to carry out a hitch free presidential , governorship and parliamentary elections in the state.
Speaking at the meeting held at Mahmud Tukur theatre 1 , Bayero University Kano, BUK, director Centre For Democratic Studies, MAMBAYYA House Kano, Professor Habu Fagge frowned at the absence of all the political parties from the strategic meeting.
Prof Habu rebuked the zero participation of political parties in the meeting, which he described as strategic to the success of the forthcoming general election in the state.
He emphasised that such meetings are important, noting that the attendance of key political actors is key towards the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election.
In his remarks, Kano resident electoral commissioner, Ambassador Abdul Zango also lamented the attitude of the political parties.
He said the commission had enjoyed support from various key stakeholders in the state, and said he was taken aback by the absence of the political parties at the crucial meeting.
He stressed that the meeting was convened to create a platform where the political parties will be reassured of INEC’s preparedness to conduct credible, free and fair 2023 elections.
In a related development, Department of State Services (DSS) Kano command has warned political parties and their foot soldiers to henceforth desist from perpetrating activities that could lead to the breach of public peace in the state.
The head of operations at the command, Alhassan Musa Tiffi has warned that the service would not fold its arms and watch as criminal elements under the pretext of political activities continue to constitute threats to public peace.
Tiffi in a goodwill message at the meeting organised by INEC stated that as the 2023 general election draws closer, the service is aware of the heightened activities of thuggery, destruction of public properties, such as billboards and other acts of criminality. According to him, the service as a strategic intelligence gathering organ of government is alive to its responsibilities.
He reassured that the DSS is working in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure violence- free election in the state.
