The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the by-election for the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency seat in the Zamfar...
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the by-election for the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency seat in the Zamfara State House of Assembly inconclusive.
The Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University Gusau, announced the decision on Sunday, citing irregularities in five polling units across Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards.
According to Professor Sa’adu, the margin of lead between the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was less than the total number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected in the affected polling units—making it impossible to declare a winner under the provisions of the Electoral Act.
In the initial tally, the APC candidate was leading with 7,001 votes, while the PDP secured 5,339 votes—a margin of 1,662 votes. However, the number of PVCs collected in the five affected polling units stood at 3,265, which is greater than the margin of lead.
Breaking down the figures, Professor Sa’adu revealed that in Sakajiki ward (code 06), two polling units with 1,357 registered voters and 1,298 collected PVCs were affected. In Kyambarawa ward (code 05), three polling units were involved, with 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 PVCs collected.
In total, 5,446 voters were registered across the five affected polling units, with 3,265 PVCs collected—prompting the decision to cancel the results in these areas.
Citing Section 24 (2) and (3), Section 47 (3), and Section 51 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022, the returning officer affirmed that the outcome of the by-election cannot be determined until a supplementary poll is conducted.
INEC said a new date for the rerun in the affected polling units will be announced in due course.
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