The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, Edward Masha, has categorically denied rumours suggesting that he had called on party members to boycott the Local Government elections scheduled for today across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas.

Speaking in Kafanchan, the headquarters of Jema’a Local Government Area, on Friday, Masha clarified in an interview with reporters that his office had not made or endorsed any such boycott call.

He explained that the rumours were false and aimed at misleading the public.

Masha detailed an issue that arose during the inspection of election materials by PDP agents at the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) office. He noted that the omission of a critical election component—the result sheets—was discovered during the inspection of sensitive materials, which raised alarm within the party.

“Two weeks ago, I had raised concerns about plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the election process by introducing a clause into SIECOM’s election guidelines, potentially altering how election results would be announced,” Masha stated.

He emphasized that the PDP would continue to insist on the inclusion of all necessary sensitive materials to ensure a transparent and fair electoral process. Masha expressed concern that the APC’s alleged manipulation efforts represented a direct attack on democracy in Kaduna State.

Despite the challenges, Masha urged all PDP members to come out in large numbers to vote, stressing the importance of exercising their democratic rights while maintaining peace and order throughout the process.

Meanwhile, reports from *PUNCH Online* indicated that as of 7:30 am, the SIECOM office in Kaduna remained closed, with ad-hoc staff waiting outside in uncertainty.