INEC Declares Zamfara Assembly Bye-Election Inconclusive

By Iyojo Ameh

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency bye-election in Zamfara State inconclusive.

The Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University, Gusau, said the decision followed cancellations in two registration areas — Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards — where results could affect the outcome.

In Sakajiki (code 06), elections were cancelled in two polling units with 1,357 registered voters and 1,298 collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). In Kyambarawa (code 05), three polling units were affected, with 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 PVCs collected. Altogether, 5,446 voters were registered in the affected areas, with 3,265 PVCs collected.

Earlier results showed the All Progressives Congress (APC) leading with 7,001 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had 5,339 votes, a margin of 1,662. However, the figure was less than the 3,265 collected PVCs in the cancelled polling units, prompting INEC to invoke Sections 24(2&3), 47(3), and 51(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 to declare the election inconclusive.

In a statement, Zamfara APC Publicity Secretary Yusuf Idris Gusau described the election as “tough and tense,” alleging that the PDP-led state government used “illegal machinery to threaten and harass the electorate.”

Despite the challenges, the APC said the poll reflected its continued acceptance among voters in the state. It commended party leaders, including Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and Defence Minister Bello Matawalle, for their support.

The party also accused the PDP government of failing to provide good governance and warned against attempts to tamper with the people’s mandate.

“The state APC leadership strongly assures that any move to change the people’s mandate will be vehemently resisted,” the statement read, urging members and supporters to remain calm as INEC prepares to conclude the process.