From Samaila Bayo, Birnin Kebbi

The Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), Kebbi State chapter has insisted that the state Independent Electoral Commission ( KESIEC) must provide the necessary guidelines before activities for the August 31 local government electiions in the state could commence.

It would be recalled that KESIEC had fixed 7th of July to 9th of September for the commencement of activities for the local government election before it's conduct on 31 of August.

Arising from it's meeting in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, IPAC State Chairman, Ibrahim Mohammed told journalists that the political parties in the election and IPAC are concerned with issues bothering on nomination fees, electoral officers for the proposed election and the process of announcing election results.

He said "We want KESIEC to make the election guidelines available to all political parties. We want to analyse it, review it and see if it will allow for free and fair local government election in the state".

He said there were growing concern on the issues of the nomination forms, electoral officers and process of announcing the election results among the political parties.

"If the administrative charges is beyond what the candidates of political parties could afford,it can hinder their participation", he said.

He insisted that the lapses of past elections on the conduct of electoral officers are worrisome. "We want KESIEC to appoint people with integrity and are apolitical as electoral officers. 

"We will also guide and protect votes and ensure those who won elections are announced", he said.