The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kano office has charged political parties, to ensure equal participation of women and youths in electoral process.
INEC spokesperson in Kano, Adam Maulud made the call during a high level consultation meeting of young people and women groups with leadership structures of political parties, held in kano.
According to him, preparations for the 2023 general elections have reached advanced stage, as such there was the urgent need for a programme, targeted towards enlightening the public on rules and regulations, guiding the electoral process.
He highlighted that, section 94 sub section 1 of the electoral act as amended, mandates parties to commence campaigns 150 days before polling day ,saying that, the campaigns for presidential and federal lawmakers commenced on the 28th September, as stipulated by the election schedule.
“The new electoral act has captured important issues, there are ten key points points of the electoral act which i would like to tender to you”.
In his welcome address, Executive Director Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Yunusa Ya’u, said the meeting was organized for political parties to express their commitments to women, youths and entire people of Kano state.
The executive director, who was represented by Senior Programme Officer, Malam Isah Garba, who doubles as Project Manager Campaign for the Inclusion of Youths and Women in Politics, pointed out that CITAD would follow up on the political parties commitments, with youths and women structures to ensure implementation.
In his remarks, state team leader Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL), Malam Isah Surajo described election as a civic responsibility which paves way for good governance.
He maintained that, contestants should understand the needs and aspirations, of women and youths due to their vulnerability, for the development of the state and nation in general.
Malam Isah Surajo noted that, PERL had supported engagements aimed at giving women, youths, people living with special needs, and other vulnerable groups the opportunity to participate and voice out their demands.
We believe that women and youths are important to any electoral process”
In a goodwill message, the project coordinator of the we-you project, Action aid Nigeria, Mr. Frank Abu commended political parties , who had given women and youths the opportunity to stand and be represented at various levels of government in Kano.
During the panel discussion, representatives of APC, NNPP, PDP, PRP and YPP unveiled their commitments to the people of Kano, paying attention to women and youths development.
The event tagged: consultation meeting organized by CITAD, in collaboration with PERL, ACTION AID, and other development partners, was marked by panel discussion, presentation of hasken Kano to political parties, among others.
KHADIJAH ALIYU