INEC Declares Zamfara Assembly By-election Inconclusive

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency for Zamfara State House of Assembly by-election inconclusive.

INEC Returning Officer for the election, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University Gusau cited irregularities in 5 polling units of Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards as part of the reasons for the decision.

He further explained that the margin between the leading political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the runner-up was less than the total number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected in the polling units where results were cancelled.

According to Professor Sa’adu, the affected polling units are under Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards, stressing that “in Sakajiki with code 06, two polling units with 1,357 registered voters and 1,298 collected PVCs were affected, while in Kyambarawa with code 05, three polling units were affected with 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 collected PVCs were also cancelled.”

He added that 5,446 voters were registered across the affected registration areas, with 3,265 PVCs collected.

In the earlier results announced, the candidate of the APC was leading with 7,001 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 5,339 votes.

“The margin between the two leading political parties, the APC and PDP is 1,662 and less than the 3,265 collected Permanent Voter Cards in the affected polling units,” he said.

Professor Sa’adu, also cited Section 24 sub-section 2 and 3, Section 47 sub-section 3, and Section 51 sub-section 2 of the Electoral Act 2022 as reasons for declaring the election inconclusive.

According to INEC, a new date for the rerun election in the five affected polling units across the wards would be announced later.