The Zamfara Assembly by-election ended inconclusive as INEC voided results from polling units over irregularities.
Officials explained APC’s slim lead was lower than voter cards collected in canceled wards.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the by-election for Kaura Namoda South State Constituency in Zamfara State as inconclusive.
The Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University, Gusau, made the announcement on Saturday after results from several polling units were nullified due to irregularities.
According to the figures released, the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured 7,001 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 5,339 votes. This left a margin of 1,662 votes between the two leading parties. However, INEC noted that the margin was smaller than the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected in the affected polling units, which stood at 3,265.
Providing details, the electoral body explained that five polling units were canceled. Two of them were located in Sakajiki ward where 1,298 PVCs had been collected, while three others were in Kyambarawa ward with 1,964 PVCs. Altogether, 5,446 voters were registered across the affected polling units.
INEC clarified that in line with the Electoral Act 2022, an election cannot be declared conclusive when the margin of lead is lower than the number of collected PVCs in canceled or affected polling units. The commission stressed that a supplementary election would be necessary before a winner can be officially returned.
It further stated that arrangements would be made to fix a new date for the rerun in the affected wards and that voters would be duly informed.
