The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the Kaura Namoda South State Constituency by-election in Zamfara State inconclusive.
Announcing the decision on Sunday, the Returning Officer for the poll, Prof. Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University, Gusau, said the outcome followed the cancellation of results in several polling units located in Sakajiki and Kambarawa wards.
According to him, the affected polling units have a combined total of 5,446 registered voters, out of which 3,265 Permanent Voter Cards were collected.
Prof. Sa’adu revealed that the All Progressives Congress polled 7,001 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party garnered 5,339 votes, leaving a margin of 1,662 votes.
“The margin of lead is less than the total number of PVCs collected in the cancelled polling units. Therefore, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, this election is declared inconclusive,” he stated.
He cited Sections 24 (2 & 3), 47(3), and 51(2) of the Electoral Act, alongside INEC’s Manual for Election Officials, which require a supplementary poll where the margin of lead between the top two candidates is lower than the number of valid PVCs collected in areas where voting was cancelled.
“In such situations, the Returning Officer shall not declare a winner until a supplementary election is conducted,” Sa’adu clarified.
Providing further details, he said two polling units were cancelled in Sakajiki Ward with 1,357 registered voters and 1,298 PVCs collected, while three polling units were affected in Kambarawa Ward, having 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 PVCs collected.
The Returning Officer concluded by saying, “INEC will fix a new date for the supplementary election in the five affected polling units across Sakajiki and Kambarawa wards.”
He urged political parties and voters to remain calm as the commission prepares for the rerun.