By David Lawani, with agency report
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the inconclusive Kaura-Namoda South State Constituency election in Zamfara State will be completed on Thursday (tomorrow).
The Commission also disclosed that Certificates of Return will be presented to successful candidates who emerged winners in last week’s by-elections across the country.
In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC explained that although elections were held in Kaura-Namoda South, the Returning Officer could not declare a winner due to disruptions in five polling units across two registration areas.
Olumekun said, “Despite the prevailing security situation, elections were held. However, the Returning Officer reported that he was unable to make a declaration because of violence in five polling units with a total of 3,572 registered voters, out of which 3,265 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were collected.
“The margin of lead was 1,662. Therefore, based on Section 24(3) and (4) of the Electoral Act 2022, an election must be held in the affected polling units to determine a winner.”
Consequently, INEC fixed Thursday, August 21, for the supplementary election in the five polling units.
At the same time, the Commission has invited winners of Senate and House of Representatives by-elections to its National Headquarters in Abuja to receive their Certificates of Return, while State Assembly members-elect will be issued their certificates at INEC State offices.
Olumekun stated that in line with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, Senators-elect from Anambra South and Edo Central, alongside five House of Representatives members-elect from constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo States, will collect their Certificates of Return in Abuja at 3 pm on Thursday.
He added that successful candidates in State Assembly elections, including those in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, and Taraba States, will be presented with their certificates by Resident Electoral Commissioners in their respective states on August 22 at 11 am.
The Commission further confirmed the conclusion of two re-run elections earlier disrupted in Enugu and Kano States, with Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party (LP) declared winner in Enugu South 1, and Ya’u Garba Gwarmai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared winner in Ghari/Tsanyawa.
With these steps, INEC said it remains committed to concluding pending elections and promptly issuing Certificates of Return to candidates duly elected by the people.
•Partners traditional council on Continuous Voters Registration
Meanwhile, INEC in Nasarawa State said it will partner with the Traditional Council in the state to boost the success of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
Dr Shehu Wahab, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, stated this at a meeting with traditional rulers on Tuesday in Lafia.
He noted that the collaboration aimed to leverage the influence of the traditional institution to encourage eligible citizens to participate in the registration exercise.
“Your influence and guardians are essential in promoting awareness about the registration and ensuring that every eligible voter is registered. As a commission, we are leveraging technology to make the process more efficient and secure for everybody, including persons living with disabilities,” he said.
Wahab said that the online pre-registration had commenced on Monday, August 18, while the in-person registration would start on August 25.
He added that INEC officials would be at the designated centres from Mondays to Fridays, excluding public holidays, from 9 am to 3 pm.
“For now, two machines have been deployed for registration at our headquarters in Lafia and our offices in the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
“However, as the process progresses, we will deploy more machines,” he said.
Wahab stated that registration is free, and any staff member found extorting money from the public, regardless of the pretext, would be sanctioned by the law.
He urged INEC staff involved in the exercise to avoid any unlawful practices that would tarnish the image of the commission.
He, therefore, called on members of the public to report any staff demanding money for fuel or logistics to the commission for action.
According to him, all necessary arrangements and provisions have been made for the exercise.
On his part, Retired Justice Sidi Bage, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Traditional Council, appreciated the REC and his team for recognising them for the engagement.
Bage explained that the traditional institution would collaborate and support the commission to ensure the success of the exercise.
The traditional ruler, however, raised concerns that the two machines provided to every local government area were inadequate and appealed that the exercise be carried out in every electoral ward in the state.
