Be neutral, fair during elections — INEC to electoral officials

Alhaji Abubakar Sarkin-Pawa, the resident INEC electoral commissioner in Kebbi, has emphasized the importance of neutrality, fairness, and justice to electoral officers ahead of Saturday’s rerun and by-election.

He delivered this message during a training session held at the state INEC headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, urging officers to uphold these principles in their duties.

The by-election is scheduled to take place in the Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski federal constituency on Saturday.

The seat in the House of Representatives became vacant following the appointment of Yusuf Tanko-Sununu as minister of state for education.

Also, an election rerun will be conducted on the same date in 25 polling units of the Arewa/Dandi federal constituency in compliance with a court judgment.

Sarkin-Pawa said, “I want to urge you to be neutral, just and fair while discharging your legitimate responsibilities as EOs. More so, as staff of INEC, you are supposed to be apolitical in the forthcoming by and rerun elections.”

The REC reminded the EOs that they were selected based on their past track records, especially their performance in the 2023 general elections. He urged them to sustain the confidence reposed in them.

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INEC also distributed sensitive materials to conduct the by and rerun elections.

Shortly after the distribution, the REC said, “We have just witnessed the distribution of sensitive materials for rerun election in Arewa and Dandi local government areas and by-election in Yauri, Shanga and Ngaski local government areas.

“We thank God Almighty that the exercise was done peacefully and successfully.

I want to use this medium to thank all political parties who responded promptly for the exercise.”

Sarkin-Pawa also appreciated security agencies for giving the commission’s personnel cover to ensure the success of the exercise.

He also commended the media for playing an important role in the dissemination of information towards the success of the election.