The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the bye-election for the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency in Zamfara State inconclusive, citing discrepancies between the vote margin and the number of collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in cancelled polling units.
Announcing the decision, Returning Officer Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University, Gusau, explained that elections were cancelled in two registration areas; Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards, due to irregularities.
In Sakajiki (code 06), two polling units with 1,357 registered voters and 1,298 collected PVCs were affected.
In Kyambarawa (code 05), cancellations occurred in three polling units with 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 collected PVCs.
In total, 5,446 voters were registered across the five affected units, with 3,265 PVCs collected.
Preliminary results showed the All Progressives Congress (APC) leading with 7,001 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailed with 5,339 votes, a margin of 1,662.
However, this margin was smaller than the 3,265 PVCs collected in the cancelled polling units, prompting INEC to declare the election inconclusive in accordance with Sections 24 (2 & 3), 47 (3), and 51 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The APC’s Zamfara chapter has responded to the development, expressing appreciation to voters and calling the election “tough” and “tense.”
In a statement issued Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party accused the PDP-led state government of using intimidation tactics during the poll.
“No doubt, the election was tough, tense, and conducted under very harsh conditions as the government in power used all its illegal machinery to threaten and harass the electorate,” the statement read.
“Yet the people remained focused and resilient.”
The party thanked key figures, including Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, for their continued support.
The APC also criticized the state government’s performance, stating the poll reflected growing public dissatisfaction.
It warned against any attempt to alter the people’s mandate and urged its supporters to remain calm as the electoral process continues.
“We sincerely thank the people of Kyambarawa, Banga, Sakajiki, Kurya, Dan-Isa, and Kagara for their massive turnout despite intimidation. Any attempt to subvert their will shall be strongly resisted,” the statement concluded.
