The Zamfara chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) says 11 out of the 18 registered political parties will participate in the state’s November 16 local government elections.

The state IPAC chairman, Isah Moriki, made this known at a press briefing in Gusau on Tuesday.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), as the major opposition party in the state, has dragged the State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC) to the Zamfara Division of the Federal High Court over alleged irregularities in the election process.

Mr Moriki said that 11 of the 18 political parties under the umbrella of IPAC had concluded plans to participate in the elections.

“Recently, we held a meeting with the ZASIEC, and the commission’s chairman briefed us on their arrangements to conduct the LG polls on November 16. The commission promised to conduct credible LG elections in the state.

“Therefore, the IPAC leadership is satisfied with all the necessary arrangements by the commission to conduct the LG election in the state.

“We agree that the commission has fulfilled all the requirements of the law to conduct the LG election,” he said.

Mr Moriki said the political parties include the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Alliance Peoples Movement (APM), and the All Peoples Party (APP).

Other political parties include the African Action Congress (AAC), Labour Party (LP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Youth Party (YP).

“All the 11 political parties mentioned have made necessary arrangements required by the law to participate in the election.

“Each political party had procured the Chairmanship and Councillorship forms for its candidates,” the IPAC chairman explained.

Mr Moriki called on the people to be calm and support the commission to conduct peaceful elections on November 16.

(NAN)