By Onuminya Ochowechi In Sokoto
The Independent National Electoral Commission office in Sokoto state on Tuesday said 16,000 new and 40,000 old permanent voter’s cards PVCs are ready for collection by votersin Sokoto for the 2023 polls
It also said the newly introduced Bimordial voters accreditation system B-VAS technology would further improve on the commissions mandate to deliver a credible exercise across the country.
The Head, Voter Education in Sokoto state Muhammad Abbani Takai disclosed this at an all important meeting convened for candidates of the All Progressives Congress by the commission to highlight it’s guidelines and rules on tracking financing and general electioneering process and campaign activities of parties.
” Candidates and parties spending limits have been spelt out by the commission thus must not exceed same” he stressed.
In attendance at the meeting were the party’s governorship candidate ,Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, all other party candidates for various elective positions across the state .
He made reference to sections of it’s guidelines on vote buying, contribution and financing of candidates and parties campaigns, adding that ” INEC will not spare any one who violates it’s guidelines and rules which will be subject to fines or imprisonment or both.
According to him finances for presidential campaigns should not exceed N5bn , Governor N1bn, Senator N100 million, Reps N70 million, State Asssembly N30 million.
Takai said the commissioned was ready to conduct a transparent, free, credible and acceptable exercise with the support and cooperation of critical stakeholders inorder to deepen the nation’s democracy.
” Our focus is to detail and remind politicians and Nigerians of our mandate as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended and INEC Electoral Act .
” Politicians need to conduct and respect themselves in accordance with the guiding rules and regulations .
” No abusive, derigatory language . They should promote politics of ideology not sentiment
Similarly, the Commission’s spokesman in the state, Ahmed Musa said violent acts, hate speech, sensational messages, attacks on personalities , negative insinuations against parties, candidates , campaigns at religious places, public offices, campaigns at places of worship and based on religion, ethnic and sections are against its guidelines and any violation would attract sanctions .
Speaking, the state APC chairman ,Hon Sadiq Isah Achida acknowledged the unprecedented efforts and resilience of INEC to deliver on its promises towards improving the electoral process for the country to be among the best democracies of the world.
According to Achida” APC will be the happiest if INEC insist on it’s guidelines and rules . Our party in Sokoto state is the most popular party with tremendous support of Sokoto people.
” You should remain truly independent against external and internal saboteurs. Don’t be used as willing tool “, he stressed .
The Chairman assured the commission that APC in the state would not allow its supporters to perpatrate any act of violence, defacing of opponents bill boards, posters or destruction of property before during and after elections .
” We will base our activities on issues relevant to the development of people of Sokoto state”, he declared.