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Published on 2024-02-03 09:43:51
The electoral body has released the voter statistics for the by-elections scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, in various parts of Nigeria. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a total of 4.6 million voters will decide their preferred candidates in 80 local government areas across 26 states. The elections are being held to fill vacancies in the national and state assemblies caused by the death or resignation of members.
A total of 4,613,291 individuals who have obtained their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are expected to participate in the by-elections. The elections will see the participation of voters in 26 states, including nine where by-elections will determine two senators, four House of Representatives members, and three state Houses of Assembly members.
The election appeal tribunals have mandated rerun elections in specific constituencies or polling units. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, stated that the upcoming elections will address vacancies in three senatorial districts, 17 federal and 28 state constituencies across 80 local government areas. This involves 575 registration areas/wards and 8,934 polling units, with 4,904,627 registered voters.
According to reports, the affected states include Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara. Notable vacant seats include those of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi; Senator Ibrahim Geidam; Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and Tanko Sununu, who resigned for appointments in the current administration.
The INEC chairman confirmed the commission’s preparedness for the elections, stating that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had delivered materials to the affected locations. Security forces have also finalized arrangements to guarantee smooth polls. The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) convened two weeks ago to devise strategies ensuring the safety of lives and property during the elections.
In Ebonyi state, the senatorial ambition of Silas Onu, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ebonyi South, has suffered a major setback as the federal high court in Abakaliki disqualified Onu from the senatorial race slated for Saturday, February 3. Onu, however, has vowed to appeal the judgment and has been endorsed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Overall, the by-elections represent a significant opportunity for voters across Nigeria to exercise their democratic right and participate in the electoral process. The INEC has provided detailed statistics and preparations to ensure a smooth and successful electoral process. The outcome of the by-elections will have important implications for the political landscape in Nigeria and will determine the representation of various constituencies in the national and state assemblies.
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