Zamfara bye-elections: 14 parties vie for positions

By Abba Kabara, Gusau.

Fourteen political parties will participate in the coming Saturday’s bye-elections into Zamfara house of assembly from Bakura local government constituency.

The state resident electoral commissioner Dr. Asma’u Sani announces this to journalists in her office today.

She said in line with this, copies of election guidelines were circulated to all the political party leaders during a recent stakeholders’ meeting with the commission.

Dr. Asma’u gave the assurance that adequate arrangement has been made to achieve a free and fair election.

She explains that the constituency has ten(10) registration areas with a total of 92,697 registered voters, 14 polling units and nine voting points, adding that the registered voters have collected 86,615 permanent voters card ( PVC), leaving a balance of 2,235 now in the custody of the Central Bank Gusau branch.

The INEC commissioner however warns that it is important to draw the attention of voters and all participants in the election that it is imperative to make provision for face mask considering the lingering threats of Covid-19 pandemic.

She said no one will be allowed to join the election queue without wearing a face mask, adding however that an election official may request a voter to lower the mask for proper identification when necessary.

Regarding the security for the election process, Dr. Asma’u said all the participating political parties have agreed to sign a peace accord as a pledge to ensure a violence free election.