INEC Declares Zamfara Kaura-Namoda South Bye-Election Inconclusive

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency bye-election in Zamfara State inconclusive.

Announcing the decision, the Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University, Gusau, explained that the margin between the leading candidate and the runner-up was less than the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected in polling units where elections were cancelled.

According to him, voting was cancelled in two registration areas — Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards. In Sakajiki (code 06), two polling units with 1,357 registered voters and 1,298 collected PVCs were affected. In Kyambarawa (code 05), three polling units with 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 collected PVCs were also cancelled.

In total, the affected areas accounted for 5,446 registered voters, with 3,265 PVCs collected.

Preliminary results had shown the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the lead with 7,001 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed with 5,339 votes, leaving a margin of 1,662. However, this figure was lower than the 3,265 collected PVCs in the cancelled polling units.

Citing Sections 24(2 & 3), 47(3), and 51(2) of the Electoral Act 2022, Professor Sa’adu declared the poll inconclusive.

APC REACTS, DESCRIBES POLL AS “TOUGH”

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State chapter of the APC commended voters for turning out during the exercise despite what it described as intimidation.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party said:

“No doubt, the election was tough, tense, and conducted under very harsh conditions as the government in power used all its illegal machinery to threaten and harass the electorate, yet the people remained focused and resilient.”

The statement added:

“This election has shown the strength and continued acceptance of the party in the state by the electorate. We equally thank our leaders, specifically His Excellency, Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and His Excellency, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, for their constant support and encouragement to the operations and management of the party.”

APC further argued that the outcome of the poll had “shown the government that its failure in providing good governance, especially in improving the life of the state’s citizens and concern for the plight of its people, will no longer be tolerated.”

The party also accused the PDP-led state government of failing to meet the needs of the people. It called on its members and supporters to remain calm while awaiting the conclusion of the election.

“The state APC leadership, however, strongly assures that any move to change the people’s mandate will be vehemently resisted. We sincerely thank people of Kyambarawa, Banga, Sakajiki, Kurya, Dan-Isa and Kagara for turning out in mass to vote APC despite the Zamfara State government’s deployment of thugs, CPG and other vagabonds in disregard to the security ban on them and yet, the electorate summoned courage to withstand all the intimidation,” the statement read.