***INEC Relocates Polling Units in Five Wards Over Security Concerns
The by-election for the vacant Munya Constituency seat in the Niger State House of Assembly recorded impressive turnout and ended peacefully on Saturday under tight security.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had to relocate polling units in five wards—Kuchi, Beni, Dangunu, Kabila, and Kazai—to safer grounds due to insecurity in the areas caused by bandit attacks.
State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Ahmed Yushau Garki, told reporters that although relative peace had returned to the affected wards, the decision was taken “in the interest of voters and electoral officials’ safety.”
Voting commenced at 8:00 a.m. with accreditation, followed by balloting across the 11 wards of the constituency. As of 2:00 p.m., when voting ended and counting began, there were no reports of violence or electoral malpractice.
The State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Alhaji Isah Mohammed Maikujeri, lauded the process, describing it as peaceful and encouraging.
Also monitoring the exercise, State Commissioner Adamu Abdullahi Elleman commended the security agencies for their professionalism, saying he was impressed with the orderly conduct of voters.
Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, who was on the ground to observe the polls, praised INEC and security operatives for ensuring a credible process. “I am very impressed and satisfied with the peaceful atmosphere. This is good for our democracy,” he said.
The by-election followed the death of the constituency’s former representative, Mr. Haruna S. Duza, nearly a year ago. All political parties fielded candidates, with results expected soon.