INEC Conducts Election in Borno Constituency today

Posted by admin INEC Politics, Jigawa, State News Saturday, April 14th, 2012

FOLLOWING the cancellation of the election of All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) candidate, Abubakar Ibrahim into the Borno State House of Assembly by the Election Petitions Tribunal, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to conduct fresh elections today.

Borno State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Tukur Sa’ad, disclosed this in Maiduguri while briefing newsmen on the preparations of the commission to conduct fresh elections in Kwaya Kusar constituency of the state.

He said 165 electoral officers billed to supervise the election include the returning officer, 10 collation officers as well as presiding/supervising officers both at the ward and polling units.

Prof Sa’ad further disclosed that the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members would be used as polling officers, adding that they will be complemented by some undergraduates of the University of

Maiduguri (UNIMAID).

“You know, there are fewer members of NYSC in Borno now due to the security situation and that is why we decided to complement the NYSC members with undergraduates of the University of Maiduguri,” he said.

He added that 41, 996 registered voters are expected to participate in the polls and appealed to security agencies to ensure the election is held peacefully without any violence and intimidation.

“Though we have held meetings with the security agencies in the state and they have assured us of their commitment to ensure peaceful conduct, we are still using this opportunity to appeal to them because Kwaya Kusar shares border with Biu Local Government which is currently covered by the state of emergency,” he added.

The Election Petition Tribunal in Borno quashed Abubakar Ibrahim’s election in the April 2011 state Assembly Election for not having the required qualification to contest the seat.

The ruling of the tribunal was also upheld by the Court of Appeal which ordered that fresh election be conducted in the area.

-Guardianwp_posts