SDP boycotts Bauchi LG poll, calls for scrapping of SIEC

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), Bauchi State Chapter has decided to boycott the August 17 local government poll describing it as a “charade”.

The party also called for scrapping of all State independent electoral commissions (SIEC).

the State Secretary of the Party, Comrade Nasir DanBauchi, made this known in Bauchi on Friday at a press conference, saying the party “sensed that, the so-called election will be more of a charade, than an election, because in all intent, and purpose, BASIEC will execute the bidding of the Bauchi State government to conduct a kangaroo and a discredited election.”

“SDP can confirm very authoritatively that the State Independent Electoral Commission from day one has sealed plans to alienate some political parties from participating in the electoral process and has already perfected the aforesaid plans,” he added.

DanBuachi said that BASIEC has not issued the SDP any notice concerning the planned local government election “or any other document of such except the election timetable.”

“Our efforts to get the documents related to the election from BASIEC proved abortive.

“Also, our findings revealed that some selected political parties of which may perhaps participate in this very election may have been induced to partake in the contest to give the process an assumed credibility they needed,” he said.

It demanded that the Commission must halt the process of the election and restart so that there will be justice, fairness, equity and level playing ground, for all parts without any encumbrances, and all nomination Forms be sold at a fee not exceeding N100,000 only.

“The Commission must also not collect anything as an administrative charge on anybody who receives land from the State Government to organize and conduct this election,” he said.