Kano Declares Friday Work Free Day Over Voter Registration

KANO, Feb 02, (THEWILL) – The Kano state government has declared Friday, February 04, 2011 as a work-free day to enable civil servants and all government functionaries in the state participate fully in the ongoing voter registration.

The state Commissioner for Information, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi who disclosed this to THEWILL said the public holiday would enable officials mobilize members of their families as well as their communities to actively participate in the exercise.

He also advised the private sector in the state especially banks to also comply with the work-free directive to make it possible for their employees to register.

Barrister Dederi stated that the state government was satisfied with the turnout of eligible citizens for the exercise but however noted that the failure of DDC machines, inadequate registration materials and non-arrival of registration materials on time in many parts of the state did hamper the smooth conduct of the exercise.

He said the government has appealed to INEC to make sure that areas with faulty registration machines and insufficient materials are duly provided for so as not to defeat the essence of the exercise.

The state government expressed appreciation to stake holders in the state, especially the state Emirate Council, traditional, civic and religious leaders, as well as the media for the relentless efforts to mobilize the people to exercise their civic responsibility by obtaining voting cards.

The government called on persons that are yet to register to take advantage of the extension of the registration exercise to register for the all important 2011 April general elections.