The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Niger State has announced full readiness for the conduct of a bye-election to fill the vacant seat in the Niger State House of Assembly.
The election follows the passing of Mr. Joseph Haruna Sduza, the member representing Munya Constituency, who died after a brief illness in September last year. Until his death, Sduza, a retired Air Force officer, served as Chairman of the House Committee on Security and Intelligence.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at INEC’s state headquarters in Minna, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Ahmed Yushau Garki, confirmed that political parties had submitted names of nominated candidates following primaries held between July 17 and 21.
According to Garki, the Munya Constituency comprises 11 registration areas, 119 polling units, and a total of 62,459 registered voters. He revealed that the Commission would deploy 528 poll officials to ensure smooth conduct of the August 16 election.
Campaigns by political parties, he said, are scheduled to run from August 2 to August 14, urging all actors to observe the timetable and conduct their campaigns peacefully and in line with electoral guidelines.
“We assure all stakeholders that the bye-election will be free, fair, and credible,” Garki said.
Meanwhile, a document sighted at INEC’s office in Minna reveals that the Commission will commence a two-level Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise nationwide next month. Online registration will begin on August 18, while in-person registration at INEC state offices across the country will start on August 25.