INEC to conduct supplementary election in Taraba

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has fixed a supplementary election in Taraba and a new re-run election in Enugu State on February 14.

lNEC revealed this in a statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Olumekun said the decision was taken by the commission at its Tuesday regular meeting where it deliberated among other issues, the outcome of the Saturday re-run and by-election.

The by-election was held in nine constituencies to fill vacant seats resulting from the demise or resignation of members elected during the 2023 General Election, both at the National and State Houses of Assembly.

Also, re-run elections also took place in 39 constituencies as ordered by the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals.

According to Olumekun, the by-election was concluded successfully across all designated constituencies, with the exception of the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency.

He said the final declaration of the election was postponed due to over voting in some polling units, impacting the margin of lead between the candidates with the highest number of votes.

Olumekun said that the details of the polling units would be published on Wednesday.

“Regarding the re-run election, disruptions occurred at two Polling Units in the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State and across all polling units in the Enugu South State Constituency of Enugu State and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.

“This was due to violence, thuggery and the hijacking of election materials.

“The commission had previously suspended the re-run election in these areas in accordance with Section 24(3) the Electoral Act 20 of 22,” he said.