The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties in the state against the use of armed youths during their campaign activities and on Election Day.
The state Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Ahmed Mahuta, gave the warning yesterday at an interactive session with political stakeholders and security agencies in Sokoto State head of the governorship primaries elections in the state.
Mahuta explained that the meeting was summoned to sensitise some politicians who were always found using armed youths who pose as political supporters during campaign rallies, who are likely to cause chaos in the process.
According to the INEC chairman, “Electoral violence from campaign rallies and elections has characterised the recent electoral process in the state. But our laws are quite clear on that and penalties were been spelt out clearly on any breach of existing rules. We urge you to desist from using these armed youths to cause violence and derail the process.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state yesterday conducted its ward congress election in the 224 wards of the 23 local government councils of the state.
Our correspondent who monitored the exercise in some wards in Yabo and Bodinga local government areas observed a large and peaceful turn-out throughout the process. Commenting on the exercise, the state commissioner of Finance who served as collation officer, Alhaji Farouk
Yabo, described the process as orderly and peaceful.