By Nkechi Eze
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced fresh arrangements to conclude the by-election in Kaura Namoda South State Constituency of Zamfara State, following disruptions affecting five polling units.
In a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the Commission confirmed that by-elections were successfully conducted on Saturday across two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies and nine state assembly constituencies, despite prevailing security challenges in some areas.
INEC explained that in Zamfara State, polling took place as scheduled in Kaura Namoda South but the Returning Officer was unable to declare a winner due to violence and emergency incidents in five polling units across two Registration Areas. The affected polling units have a total of 3,572 registered voters, out of which 3,265 collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
According to the Commission, the margin of lead in the election is 1,662 votes, which is less than the number of registered voters affected. In line with Section 24 (3) and (4) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC has therefore fixed Thursday, 21 August 2025 for completion of the election in the affected polling units in order to determine the final outcome.
Meanwhile, two re-run elections ordered by the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals were successfully concluded in Enugu and Kano States. In Enugu South I State Constituency, Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party (LP) emerged victorious, while Ya’u Garba Gwarmai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner in the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.
INEC reiterated its commitment to credible and inclusive elections and called on voters in the affected Zamfara polling units to come out peacefully on the new date to exercise their rights.
