PDP faults KWASIEC over election timetable extension

…Calls for neutrality among staffers

By Saka Laaro, Ilorin

The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) has come under criticism from the State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdullah Kayode Abdulrahman, over its handling of the election timetable.

Speaking at a one-day pre-election stakeholders forum organised by KWASIEC at Fresh Hotel in Ilorin, the PDP State Secretary, Abdullahi, expressed concerns over the commission’s decision to extend the timetable twice, which he said had distorted the earlier procedures released by the commission.

Abdullah called on KWASIEC to communicate the new timetable to not only the registered political parties but also the general public, stating that the public did not expect such actions from the commission as he boasted that his party, the PDP, is far ahead of the ruling party, APC as far as the 2024 local government election is concerned.

The State Secretary of the leading opposition party in the state, while asserting that there was nothing worth commending yet in the activities of KWASIEC, also questioned the authority under which the commission was extending the timetable.

Furthermore, he urged the commission to caution its yet to be employed ad-hoc staff, EOs, and AEOS to remain neutral before, during, and after the local government election.

He warned the commission against allowing the ruling party, APC, to recruit ad-hoc staff on their behalf, emphasising the importance of neutrality in the election process.

He stressed that this would ensure a free and fair and credible election, unhindered by partisan interference.