Ahead of the August 17 local government elections in Bauchi State, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has alleged that the high cost of nomination forms released by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) is planned to disenfranchise the opposition parties in the polls.
LEADERSHIP gathered that BASIEC pegged the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for the elections between N120,000 and N250,000.
Chairman of ZLP in Bauchi, Khalid Arewa, in a statement, said ZLP strongly objected to the high cost of the forms which came after a premature announcement of the elections.
Arewa said BASIEC fixed the date for the council elections without adequate consultation, notification, or regard for the constitutional guidelines that govern electoral processes in Bauchi State.
To him, ZLP observed that BASIEC failed to provide the requisite 60-day notification period as stipulated in the constitution.
Arewa noted that the action of the BASIEC denied political parties and stakeholders sufficient time to prepare and participate in the electoral process.
He further said that the ZLP, as a major opposition party in Bauch, was not consulted or informed about arrangements for the elections, contrary to established protocols and guidelines.
Amb. Arewa added: “This is a clear attempt to disenfranchise smaller political parties and independent candidates”.
The ZLP also accused the BASIEC of disregarding due process, an action it described as a demonstration of a blatant disregard for the constitutional requirements and guidelines that govern electoral processes in the state.
The ZLP issued Bauchi state government and the BASIEC 48-hour ultimatum to immediately reverse the decision to hold the Local Government elections on August 17, 2024 and provide the requisite 60-day notification period, as stipulated in the constitution.
The party also urged the state government and BASIEC to engage in meaningful consultation with political parties and stakeholders to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process, review and reduce the cost of nomination forms to a reasonable and affordable level.