ZAMFARA BYE-ELECTION INCONCLUSIVE -INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the bye-election for the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency in Zamfara State inconclusive. This decision arose after elections were canceled in two wards: Sakajiki and Kyambarawa.

Returning Officer Professor Lawal Sa’adu from the Federal University, Gusau, announced that the margin between the leading party and the runner-up was smaller than the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected in the affected polling units. The elections were called off in Sakajiki, which had two polling units, and Kyambarawa, which had three.

In Sakajiki, there were 1,357 registered voters, with 1,298 PVCs collected. Kyambarawa had 4,088 registered voters, with 1,964 PVCs collected. In total, 5,446 voters were registered in these areas, and 3,265 PVCs were collected. The All Progressive Congress (APC) led the earlier results with 7,001 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed with 5,339 votes, Leaving a margin of 1,662. However, this margin was less than the 3,265 PVCs collected in the canceled polling units.

THE RATIONALE:

Professor Sa’adu cited Sections 24, 47, and 51 of the Electoral Act 2022 to explain the inconclusive declaration of Zamfara bye-election. According to these sections, when the margin of victory is not greater than the number of PVCs in canceled areas, the Returning Officer cannot declare a winner until supplementary elections take place.

Subsequently, APC expressed gratitude to voters for their participation in the bye-election, which they described as tough. Party Publicity Secretary Yusuf Idris Gusau commended the electorate for their resilience despite facing intimidation from government forces.

The party reassured its supporters that any attempts to alter election results would be strongly opposed. They thanked the people of the affected wards for their turnout and urged calm while awaiting further developments in the election process.

As the situation unfolds, the inconclusive status of the bye-election sets the stage for potential supplementary elections to determine the final outcome.