The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the Zamfara State House of Assembly bye-election for Kaura-Namoda South Constituency inconclusive, despite the All Progressives Congress maintaining a significant lead over its main rival.
INEC announced the decision Saturday at the Kasuwar Daji Collation Centre, revealing that while the APC secured 6,999 votes against the Peoples Democratic Party’s 5,339 votes, irregularities necessitated a supplementary election.
The APC’s lead of 1,660 votes was not sufficient to avoid the inconclusive declaration due to identified electoral violations that could potentially affect the final outcome.
Results from the six wards showed the APC winning four constituencies while the PDP claimed victory in two wards. In Kagara Ward, APC garnered 783 votes to PDP’s 682, while Saka Jiki Ward recorded 1,021 for APC and 359 for PDP.
The APC also dominated Kyanbarawa Ward with 1,162 votes against PDP’s 660, and secured a commanding lead in Dan Isah Ward with 1,887 votes compared to PDP’s 592.
However, the PDP showed strength in Banga Ward, securing 1,466 votes against APC’s 1,163, and won Kurya Ward with 1,580 votes to APC’s 983.
Despite these results, INEC cited irregularities that occurred in specific polling units, necessitating a rerun to ensure electoral integrity. The commission identified problems in three polling units within Kyanbarawa Ward and two polling units in Saka Jiki Ward.
The electoral body assured stakeholders that a new date would be announced for the supplementary election in the affected polling units, which will determine the eventual winner of the constituency seat.
The inconclusive declaration reflects INEC’s commitment to maintaining electoral standards, even when one party holds a substantial lead, prioritizing the integrity of the democratic process over expedited results.
The supplementary election will focus specifically on the five identified polling units where irregularities occurred, allowing affected voters another opportunity to cast their ballots in a properly conducted exercise.
Stakeholders now await INEC’s announcement of the supplementary election date as both parties prepare for the final phase of the electoral contest.
