The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday in Katsina told stakeholders including chairmen of political parties, Non-governmental organisations and heads of security agencies in the state that it is ready to conduct the long awaited Katsina North Senatorial Bye-election latest August 12 this year
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Alhaji Jibril Ibrahim Zarewa said the decision to conduct the bye election is in conformity with the relevant provisions of the constitution and the electoral act, and a confirmation of the notification from the National Assembly informing the umpire about the vacant position
He said โโyou will certainly recall that the dearth of the Senator Representing Katsina North Senatorial District, Senator Engineer Mustapha Bukar occurred April 4 2018.The constitution and the electoral act provide the process of election in both the circumstance of a general election and when vacancy occurs into elective positions in Nigeriaโโ
โโThis presupposes that the bye-election may have to hold anytime from now to August12, 2018.Accordingly anytime from now, the commission will give notice of the activities and their time frameโโ
Zarewa further provided detailed composition of the senatorial District whose headquarter is located at Daura to include: 12 local government areas, with a registered population of 855,092 voters, 1825 voting points, 1577 polling unitsโ and128 wards
In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday expressed doubt over the Independent National Election Commissionโs (INECโs) ability to conduct free and fair elections in Katsina state.
This according to the party is due to external interference by government in power as well as undue influence by security operatives, as witnessed in the last bye election held in Mashi where it was almost impossible to conduct fair elections in the area due to interference by government operatives.
The state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Salisu Yusuf Majigiri who made the observation during question and answer session at the forum, said the party has it on good authority that the state government officials helped in snatching of ballot boxes during the Dutsi/Mashi bye-election in order to ensure their candidate wins the poll.
He also alleged that some security operatives were used during the election to advance the interest of the ruling party, and that it would not be surprising if same happened during the coming senatorial poll.
The Nation recalled that Senator Mustapha Bukar had died on April 4 after a brief illness. His seat at the National Assembly had become vacant since then.
