SDP Takes Katsina Electoral Commission to Court Over Local Government Poll Fees

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Katsina State has filed a lawsuit at the State High Court challenging the Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission (KTSIEC) over the non-refundable fees it has mandated for the upcoming local government election on February 15th, 2025. The fees are set at N3 million for chairmanship candidates and N1 million for councillorship aspirants.

The party decided to take legal action due to the financial barriers and stringent conditions imposed by KTSIEC. SDP Chairman Bello Adamu Safana announced this at a press briefing in Katsina on Friday.

The suit, scheduled for hearing on June 24th, 2024, seeks clarification from the Katsina State High Court on whether KTSIEC’s guidelines comply with constitutional provisions and electoral laws.

“Our great party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which stands for social justice, fairness, and accountability, views such conditions as not only illegal and retrogressive but a deliberate attempt to diminish democracy and exclude highly eligible, competent, and qualified candidates from offering their services to the good people of Katsina State,” Safana stated.

He emphasized that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees citizens the right to participate in elections without discriminatory financial burdens.

The suit also aims to ensure that all political parties in the state have a fair opportunity to participate in and field candidates for various positions in the local councils, countering the current situation where the ruling party dominates the electoral space.