The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency by-election for the Zamfara State House of Assembly inconclusive following irregularities in several polling units.
According to the Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University Gusau, voting was disrupted in five polling units spread across Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards.
The cancellations were based on irregularities and discrepancies between the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected and the margin of lead between the two top parties.
Preliminary results showed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the lead with 7,001 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailed with 5,339 votes.
This left a margin of 1,662 votes. However, the number of collected PVCs in the affected polling units stood at 3,265, which exceeded the margin of lead, prompting the decision to suspend the process.
Details provided by INEC revealed that in Sakajiki ward, two polling units with 1,357 registered voters and 1,298 collected PVCs were cancelled.
Similarly, in Kyambarawa ward, three polling units with 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 collected PVCs were affected. Altogether, 5,446 voters were registered in the affected areas, with 3,265 PVCs collected.
Citing relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, including Sections 24, 47, and 51, INEC explained that the inconclusive declaration was in line with legal requirements to ensure fairness and credibility of the process.
The commission announced that a supplementary election would be conducted in the five affected polling units at a date to be communicated in due course.
