INEC WOULDN’T CONDUCT ELECTIONS IN 10 POLLING UNITS OF NIGER
By Bala Yahaya.Minna.
Nine days to the 2023 general elections,the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has revealed that it would not conduct elections in 10 polling units across three local councils of Niger State as a result of absence of voters in the units.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner,(REC), Alhaji Ahmed Yushau Garki made this known at an expanded stakeholders meeting held at the INEC office,David Mark Road,Minna,Friday.
Alhaji Garki noted that councils affected include,Kontagora,Magama and Mashegu local councils ,adding that INEC has also identified some voters who have been displaced and is making adequate arrangements to conduct elections in the identified internally displaced person’s IDPS camp so that would not be disenfranchised.
Yushau explained that Two Million,Six Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand,Three Hundred and Fourty Four voters registered in the state,out of this,One Million,One Hundred and Fifty two thousand,one hundred and eighty five representing, Fourty two point seven percent are females,while,the remaining ,One Million,Five hundred and Fourty Six thousand,One hundred and fifty nine representing fifty seven point three percent are males.
He further stated that four hundred and seventy nine contestants were going contesting for various political offices in Niger State,which include,National Assembly,State governorship as well as State Assembly elections,stressing however that only Tewnty Five females are contesting in the election.
The REC maintained that Twenty five percent of the items required for the elections have so far been moved to the local council areas.
“We are presently configuring our BVAS for all the polling units in the state,as soon as we are through,they will be move to the local Council areas”.Garki said.
Representative of Commissioner of Police,CP Ogundele.J.Ayodeji disclosed that the command had already dispatched the intelligent teams to various local council areas where the elections would be conducted.
CP reiterated that the command has put in place necessary measures that would ensure that ,2023 general elections in the state is free from any threat.
On their part,National Youth Service Corp,NYSC,urged the INEC and security agencies to provide adequate security for corps members that would participate in the election exercise.
Representatives of various political parties had lauded the INEC for timely arrangements,and enjoined it to maintain the tempo.
