Coronavirus: Borno govt asks parties to resume political activities ahead LG polls

The Borno State Independent Election Commission (SIEC) has today lifted the COVID-19-induced ban on political party activities ahead of the upcoming local government council elections.

The chairman of the commission, Abdu Usman, announced this at a press conference in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The commission had slated June this year, for the conduct of the elections, but the elections were suspended indefinitely due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Usman said the commission had decided to lift the ban on political activities having reviewed the situation in the state.

“I have the privilege to address the media today on the resumption of political activities in Borno State,” he said.

“It is also to resume full political activities to entrust full democratically elected leaders at the grassroots or the third tier of government.

With the outbreak of COVID-19 affecting the previous election calendar, Mr Usman said that November 28 has now been fixed for council elections in the state.

“Modalities have been put in place with the timetable for the electoral process, which is being kick-started today,” he said.

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The Borno SIEC chairman said all protocols established by Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) would be followed strictly during the elections.

He explained that additional funds had been sought to provide face masks and hand sanitisers for the commission’s staff while on duty.

“We will ensure that all polling units and electoral offices are supplied with hand sanitisers, and facemasks are provided for our staffers in all polling units.

“We are going with all the COVID-19 protocols as established b the NCDC. And we have received the manual for conducting elections during COVID-19 pandemic, which we are going to abide by strictly.”