
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appears set to declare the bye-election for Bakura State Constituency in Zamfara State as inconclusive, after cancelled votes overwhelmed the margin of victory between the leading candidate and runner-up.
Ibrahim Tukur of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) scored 18,645 in the election while Dankande Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) closely followed with 16,464, according to results obtained from electoral officers.
The difference between Messrs. Tukur and Bello was 2,181 votes, well below the cancelled votes of 11,420. Officials said INEC chief in Zamfara Asmau Maikudi would declare the exercise as inconclusive.
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There were multiple allegations of over voting, which led to cancellation of several polling units. Armed thugs also attacked electoral officers and burnt several ballots in a politically-instigated mayhem.
There were also reports that some INEC auxiliary officers could not be reached overnight after being chased away by rampaging thugs. leading candidate’s margin over the runner-up failed to surpass the final tally of cancelled votes.
(PEOPLES GAZETTE)