Only five political parties in Kwara State registered to participate in the state local government polls fixed for September 21, 2024.

The political parties are All Progressives Congress, APC, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, All Peoples Movement, APM, Social Democratic Party, DSP, and Accord Party, AP.

Mohammed Baba Okanla, Chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission, KWASIEC, disclosed this at the 42nd edition of the Media Parliament held by the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Ilorin on Wednesday.

Similarly, over 21,000 jobless people applied for ad hoc jobs for next Saturday’s local government elections in the state, but about 7,000 applicants were eventually considered.

The commission disclosed its readiness to conduct a hitch-free local government election across the 2,887 polling units in the 16 local government areas of the state.

According to Okanla: “The commission has carefully crafted a comprehensive timetable for the forthcoming local government elections to ensure that all stakeholders are adequately prepared for the electoral process.

“The local government elections are scheduled to take place on 21 September 2024. Polling units will open by 8 am and voting will be concluded by 3 pm, after which sorting, counting and collation of results will begin immediately. Announcement of results will be collated at the designated collation centres and announced after counting is concluded.”

The KWASIEC chairman said the commission is fully prepared for the council polls, adding: “We have worked diligently to ensure that every aspect of the electoral process is well planned and organised.

“From the training of electoral staff to the distribution of election materials, every measure is being put in place to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly, transparently, and in accordance with the law.”

He further disclosed that the commission has been collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure the success of the council polls.

“The issue of the voter register is one that we have taken very seriously. A credible voter register is the foundation of any free and fair election, as it ensures that only eligible citizens participate in the electoral process,” he added.

The electoral chairman said the commission has organised a training programme for its staff and the ad hoc staff that would supervise the elections across the 193 wards of the state.

He said they have also held consultations with the security agencies in the state to ensure maximum security of lives and property during the polls.

Kwara: 5 political parties to contest in September 21 council polls