By Luka Yelmi
The Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission, BASIEC, on Saturday commenced the distribution of election materials to all 20 Local Government Areas ahead of Monday’s local government elections, even as the Police Command announced comprehensive security deployments and warned against any form of electoral violence.
Speaking during the flag-off at the commission’s headquarters in Bauchi, BASIEC Chairperson, Hajiya Jummai Abubakar, said logistics for the exercise had been concluded and vehicles deployed to convey the materials to all parts of the state.
“You have seen the preparations. All the vehicles that are to convey the equipment are ready to move,” she said.
Hajiya Jummai said both sensitive and non-sensitive materials, including ballot papers, result sheets, ballot boxes and other electoral equipment, were being dispatched under security escort.
She prayed for a peaceful process and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to credible, free and fair elections.
“We pray that everything will go well, Insha Allah. The commission is determined to ensure a hitch-free exercise,” she said.
The BASIEC chairperson urged eligible voters to come out en masse to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation. She also announced that voting would take place between 8:00am and 3:00pm.
“I am appealing to the people to come out and vote for candidates of their choice. Voting will be from 8:00am to 3:00pm,” she stated.
Hajiya Jummai thanked stakeholders, security agencies and the media for their support in the preparations. The distribution followed BASIEC’s earlier assurance of a level playing field for all political parties participating in the election.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in the state, Khalid Arewa, expressed confidence in the process.
“From what we have observed, the distribution is ongoing. Given the situation on ground, we are confident that, Insha Allah, the election will be credible, free and devoid of ambiguity,” he said.
Arewa disclosed that 15 out of the 22 registered political parties in the state had purchased nomination forms and would participate in the polls.
In a related development, the Bauchi State Police Command said it has put comprehensive security measures in place to ensure a peaceful and credible conduct of the August 17 elections across all 20 LGAs.
Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued Friday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib.
According to the statement, personnel have been strategically deployed to key locations in the state to safeguard lives, property, and electoral materials before, during, and after the polls.
“CP Omolori has charged all officers and men deployed for the election to conduct themselves with the highest level of professionalism, neutrality, and respect for human rights, and in strict compliance with extant laws,” the statement said.
The Command issued a strong warning against electoral malpractice, listing ballot box snatching, thuggery, vote buying and selling, intimidation of voters, and disruption of the electoral process as offences that would attract immediate arrest and prosecution.
“The Command hereby warns that any act of electoral violence will be met with the full weight of the law. Perpetrators, sponsors, and their accomplices, irrespective of status or affiliation, will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” SP Habib stated.
Police authorities reassured residents of a safe environment to vote and urged citizens to come out en masse. Members of the public were advised to promptly report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.
Security personnel were also deployed to escort BASIEC materials to ensure their safe delivery to all 20 LGAs.
The 2026 Local Government Elections are scheduled to hold on Monday, August 2026.
