Few days to the 17th August 2024 Local Government elections in Bauchi, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has alleged that the high cost of nomination forms put by the Bauchi state Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) is carefully planned to disenfranchise the opposition.
The Chairman of the ZLP in Bauchi state, Amb. Khalid Arewa made this known in a press statement on Monday.
He said his party was compelled to express strongest objections and reservations regarding the sudden and premature announcement of the Local Government elections scheduled for 17th August 2024 in Bauchi State.
Amb. Khalid Arewa decried that BASIEC fixed the date for the LG elections without adequate consultation, notification, or regard for the constitutional guidelines that govern electoral processes in Bauchi state.
According to him, the ZLP observed that BASIEC failed to provide the requisite 60-day notification period as stipulated in the constitution.
Amb. Arewa noted that the action of the BASIEC denied political parties and stakeholders sufficient time to prepare and participate in the electoral process.
He further said that the ZLP, as a major political party in Bauchi State, was not consulted or informed about the arrangements and timelines for the elections, contrary to established protocols and guidelines.
"The cost of nomination forms for the Local Government elections is excessive and burdensome, with prices ranging from N120,000 to N250,000 per form", he said.
Amb. Arewa added: "This is a clear attempt to disenfranchise smaller political parties and independent candidates".
The ZLP also accused the BASIEC of disregarding due process, an action it described as a demonstration of a blatant disregard for the constitutional requirements and guidelines that govern electoral processes in the state.
The ZLP issued Bauchi state government and the BASIEC 48-hour ultimatum to mmediately reverse the decision to hold the Local Government elections on 17th August 2024 and provide the requisite 60-day notification period, as stipulated in the constitution.
The party also urged the state government and BASIEC to engage in meaningful consultation with political parties and stakeholders to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process, review and reduce the cost of nomination forms to a reasonable and affordable level.
Amb. Arewa said failure by the Bauchi state government and the BASIEC to comply with the ultimatum will leave ZLP with no choice but to seek legal redress and explore all available avenues to protect the rights and interests of our party and the people of Bauchi State.
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