Candidates in the Kaduna State local government election have signed a peace accord.
The peace pact was signed on Tuesday in Kaduna – the state capital – by candidates from 11 political parties.
The agreement – organised by the Kaduna State Police Command – was attended by the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM), chairmanship candidates, leaders of political parties, civil society organisations, among others.
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At the event, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Mudassiru Abdullahi disclosed that 11,000 personnel will be deployed on Saturday to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
He said the personnel will be deployed across the 23 local government areas of the North-West state.
According to the commissioner, the deployment of such a huge number of security operatives is to forestall any breakdown of law and order and to ensure that voters and election officials are adequately protected during the entire exercise.
The commissioner cautioned the political parties and their supporters against any form of harassment, intimidation, molestation or violence before, during, and after the election.
“We are ready to go into the election properly prepared to safeguard lives and property of all citizens,’’ he said.
The Chairperson of SIECOM, Saratu Audu-Dikko, pleaded with the political parties and residents of the state to cooperate with the electoral body to ensure a free, fair and credible election.
Audu-Dikko also cautioned against violent acts before, during, and after the exercise.
Some of the political leaders at the event commended the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) for sustaining and upgrading the use of electronic voting machines for the poll in order to ensure a more transparent process.
