The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled a supplemental election in Taraba and a fresh rerun poll in Enugu State on February 14.
This was stated on Tuesday in Abuja by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
Olumekun stated that the decision was made by the commission during its Tuesday regular meeting, when it discussed, among other things, the outcome of the Saturday re-run and by-election.
To fill the vacancies left by the resignations or deaths of members elected in the general election of 2023 in the State and National Houses of Assembly, a bye-election was conducted in nine constituencies.
In addition, 39 seats had rerun elections as mandated by the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals.
Olumekun said that all designated constituencies—aside from the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency—saw a successful conclusion to the by-election.
He added that over voting in certain polling units caused the election's final declaration to be delayed, which affected the margin of lead between the candidates who received the most votes.
According to Olumekun, the data of the polling units would be disclosed on Wednesday.
He said, “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) of the Electoral Act 20 of 22.
“Following additional reports from our officials in the affected states, the Commission supports the Returning Officer’s decision to announce results in the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, as the number of registered voters in the two polling units did not affect the outcome of the election".
He also stated that the Commission has resolved to conduct a supplementary election in Taraba and a new re-run election in Enugu State on Wednesday Feb. 14. Due to security concerns, the election in Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency will be held at a later date, after further discussions with security agencies and stakeholders.
