INEC Declares Zamfara Assembly Bye-Election Inconclusive Amid Irregularities
By IDNN Politics Desk
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency bye-election in Zamfara State inconclusive, citing major irregularities in five polling units.
Returning Officer Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University Gusau announced the decision early Sunday. He explained that the margin of lead between APC and PDP was 1,662 votes, while the total number of collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the affected units stood at 3,265 — a figure large enough to sway the final outcome.
The irregularities occurred in two polling units in Sakajiki Ward with 1,298 collected PVCs, and three polling units in Kyambarawa Ward with 1,964 collected PVCs.
Preliminary figures showed the APC leading with 7,001 votes, while the PDP trailed with 5,339 votes before INEC suspended the process.
“By law, INEC has no choice but to declare this election inconclusive until a rerun is conducted in the affected polling units,” Prof. Sa’adu stated.
INEC has promised to fix a new date for the rerun, stressing that the commission is committed to electoral transparency. It also called on political stakeholders to respect the process and maintain peace.
Observers say the inconclusive ruling reflects persistent challenges of logistics, irregularities, and insecurity that continue to shape electoral contests in Zamfara.
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