The Social Democratic Party (SDP), Kastina State chapter, has filed a suit at the State High Court challenging the State Independent Electoral Commission (KTSIEC) over the non-refundable fee of N3 million it prescribed for those aspiring to contest for the position of chairman, and N1 million for those seeking councillorship positions in the February 15th, 2025 local government election in the state.
The party said it decided to go to court due to the financial barriers and other stringent conditions imposed by the KTSIEC for the election.
The Katsina SDP Chairman, Bello Adamu Safana, disclosed this at a press briefing in Katsina on Friday.
The suit scheduled for hearing on Monday, the 24th of June 2024, is asking the Katsina State High Court to clarify whether KTSIEC’s guidelines align with constitutional provisions and electoral laws.
“Our great party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) which stand for Social Justice, fairness and accountability view such conditions as not only illegal and retrogressive but a deliberate attempt to diminish democracy and attempt at excluding highly eligible, competent and qualified candidate to offer their services to the good people of Katsina State,” Mr Safana pinpointed.
According to him, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees the right of citizens to participate in elections without discriminatory financial burdens.
Furthermore, he said the suit aims to ensure that all political parties in the state have a fair opportunity to participate in, and field candidates for the various positions in the Local Councils, unlike the present scenario where the ruling party has dominated the whole space.