INEC fixes February 14 for Taraba, Enugu supplementary elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission said it will conduct supplementary and rerun elections in Taraba and Enugu states respectively on February 14, 2024.

Also, the commission noted that the suspended re-run election in Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State would be held at a later date.

These were disclosed in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Tuesday.

On February 3, 2024, by-elections were held in nine constituencies to fill seats left vacant by the death or resignation of members elected during the 2023 general elections both in the National and State Houses of Assembly.

Also, re-run elections took place in 39 constituencies as ordered by courts.

Giving the latest updates, the commission explained “Bye-elections were concluded successfully across all designated constituencies, with the exception of the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency.

“Here, the final declaration was postponed due to overvoting in certain polling units, impacting the margin of lead between the candidates with the highest number of votes. Details of these polling units will be published tomorrow.”

Regarding the re-run elections, disruptions occurred at two polling units in the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State and across all polling units in the Enugu South State Constituency of Enugu State, and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State constituency of Kano State, due to violence, thuggery and the hijacking of election materials.

The commission had previously suspended the re-run elections in these areas in accordance with Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.

However, according to the statement, “Following additional reports from our officials in the affected states, the commission supports the Returning Officer's decision to announce results in the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, as the number of registered voters in the two polling units did not affect the outcome of the election.

“The commission has resolved to conduct a supplementary election in Taraba State and a new re-run election in Enugu State, both scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

“Due to security concerns, the election in Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency will be held at a later date, after further discussions with security agencies and stakeholders.”

INEC urged all eligible voters and stakeholders in the impacted polling units in Taraba and Enugu States to participate peacefully in the upcoming elections and support their preferred candidates.