Introduction to the Certificate of Return
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it will issue certificates of return to winners of Aug.16 by-elections on Thursday. Mr Sam Olumeku, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Background and Decision
He said that the decision was in line with the provision of Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022. Olumekun said that the presentation of the certificates for Senators-elect and members of the House of Representatives-elect will take place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja at 3:00 p.m.
Recipients of the Certificates
The senators-elect to receive the certificates were those of Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts and five members of House of Representatives-elect, from Ovie North-East and Ovie South-West Federal Constituency of Edo, Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa. Others are Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun and Ibadan North Federal Constituency of Oyo.
State Houses of Assembly
For State Houses of Assembly, the Certificates of Return will be presented to members-elect by the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in our state offices on Friday Aug. 22 at 11am. The constituencies are Ganye State Constituency of Adamawa, Onitsha North 1 State Constituency of Anambra, Basawa and Zaria/Kewaye State Constituencies of Kaduna State and Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa State constituencies of Kano State. Others are ;Okura State Constituency of Kogi, Munya State Constituency of Niger and Karim Lamido 1 State Constituency of Taraba.
Conclusion of By-Election in Zamfara
Olumekun, also disclosed that INEC has fixed Aug. 21 for the conclusion of the by-election in five polling units of Kaura Namoda South State Constituency of Zamfara. The polling units according to him are; Shiyar Magaji/Kofar Hamza, Tukasu/Sabuwar Kasuwa, Kofar Fada/ Shiyar Fada, Alko/Shiyar Tudu, and SH/Nufawa/Kofar M. D. Nuhu.
Recent By-Elections
He recalled that 16 by-elections and two court-ordered re-run elections were held across the country on Aug. 16. He noted that the by-elections were held in two Senatorial Districts, five Federal Constituencies and nine State Assembly Constituencies, with declaration and return already made in all except one State Assembly Constituencies.
Security Situation and Re-Run Election
In spite of the prevailing security situation, election was held in Kaura Namoda South State Constituency of Zamfara. However, the Returning Officer reported that he was unable to make a declaration because of violence emergency in five Polling Units across two Registration Areas/Wards with a total of 3,572 registered voters out of which 3,265 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were collected by voters. The margin of lead was 1,662. Therefore, based on Section 24(3) and (4) of the Electoral Act 2022, election must be held in the affected polling units to determine a winner.
Re-Run Elections
Olumekun said that consequently, the commission has fixed Thursday Aug. 21 for re-run election in the five polling units. He also recalled that two re-run elections by order of the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals were held in Enugu and Kano States. After previous disruptions of the elections in the two states by violence and thuggery, the elections have now been concluded. Declaration and return were made by the Returning Officers.
Winners of Re-Run Elections
For the Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State, Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party (LP) was declared winner while Ya’u Garba Gwarmai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election in Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.
Conclusion
In conclusion, INEC has announced the issuance of certificates of return to winners of the Aug.16 by-elections. The presentation of the certificates will take place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja. The commission has also fixed Aug. 21 for the conclusion of the by-election in five polling units of Kaura Namoda South State Constituency of Zamfara.
FAQs
Q: When will the certificates of return be issued to the winners of the by-elections?
A: The certificates of return will be issued on Thursday.
Q: Where will the presentation of the certificates take place?
A: The presentation of the certificates will take place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Q: Which constituencies will receive the certificates of return?
A: The senators-elect of Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts, and five members of House of Representatives-elect from various constituencies will receive the certificates of return.
Q: What is the reason for the re-run election in Zamfara?
A: The re-run election is due to the violence emergency in five polling units, which prevented the declaration of a winner.
Source: nannews.ng
