The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) says it will conduct the upcoming local government elections without interference and reject bribes from any quarters.

The commission’s chairman, Sani Malumfashi, said this while addressing journalists at the commission’s headquarters on Friday in Kano.

“The commission will operate independently in conducting the local government elections in the state; nobody is going to interfere with our activities.

“Similarly, nobody should approach us with bribes. If people approach us with bribes, we are going to expose them; we did it before, and we will do it again,” Mr Malumfashi warned.

Mr Malumfashi also said the commission was determined to conduct free and fair local government elections scheduled for October 26 in the 44 local government areas.

He said six registered political parties are participating in the elections scheduled for October 26 across the state.

According to him, six political parties are participating in the election, including NNPP,  ZLP, Accord Party, NRPM, AAC and AA.

He, however, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not participating in the elections.

Mr Malumfashi urged candidates to caution their supporters to shun violence and cooperate with the commission to ensure the smooth implementation of all electoral processes.

He said vote-buying was against the rules and regulations of the commission and that the use of political thugs before, during and after the election is prohibitive.

The chairman also urged stakeholders such as politicians, traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, CSOs, security agencies and the media to cooperate with the commission to make the election credible, peaceful and hitch-free

“We said no to bribery, vote-buying, and thuggery before, during and after the elections,’’ he said.

He also urged candidates partaking in the polls to preach peace to their supporters and warned against electoral malpractice during the exercise.

(NAN)