By Musa Na Allah Sokoto
The National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Tuesday in Sokoto warned stakeholders against vote buying and other election malpractice at the forthcoming Re-run Election in the state scheduled for 3 February 2024.
The state administrative secretary, Mrs. Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa while addressing stakeholders at the INEC secretariat in Sokoto said, INEC is conducting the re-run Election based on the Court order that the Re-run Election be conducted in 18 registration areas and 46 polling units across four (4) local Government areas of Yabo/Shagari, Bodinga North and Tambuwal west covering one federal Constituency and two (2) state constituencies.
According to her INEC in compliance with the court order and in conformity with the Electoral Act part 2022 part IV procedure at election section 38 (3) gave powers to INEC to conduct to Election within 14 days before the date of the Election.
“Notice of Election has been published in the affected LGAs/constituencies on the 4th of January 2024, while the campaign will commence on the 5th of January 2024 and ends on the 1st of February 2024.
“The sensitive materials comprising Ballot papers and results sheets will be brought to Sokoto and will be distributed in the presence of political party agents, and other stakeholders including observers.
“Voting on the date of Election and accreditation will commence simultaneously, it will start by 8:30 am and end by 2:30 pm but those in the queue before 2:30 pm will be allowed to cast their votes.
“Use of BVAS for verification accreditation is mandatory, while collation of results will be adhered with the support and result verification system (CSRVS) officers will be there to support the manual collation.” Says the administrative secretary.
Kangiwa however appealed to stakeholders to conduct themselves according to the rules of the game and avoid any act capable of derailing the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming Re-run Poll in the state.
