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2019 Elections

Breaking: INEC postpones Adamawa constituency poll as APC candidate dies

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INEC



The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the postponement of state assembly election in Nassarawo Binyeri constituency of Adamawa state over the death of APC’s candidate, Adamu Kwanate.

Kwanate, who, until his death, was a member representing Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency (Mayo Belwa LGA) at the State House of Assembly, is seeking re-election as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 23 election.

According to INEC, the postponement is in line with Section 36 (1) of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended.

The INEC National Commissioner and chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday night.

Okoye also confirmed that another fire outbreak gutted the facilities of INEC in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State.

According to him, several sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections were destroyed in the Akwa-Ibom inferno.

They include 198 Smart Card Readers, printed register of voters, 13 generator sets and several voting cubicles and office equipment.

Okoye said;

“While we do not at this point know the cause of the fire, a report has been made to the law enforcement agencies and the Fire Service. We are liaising closely with both agencies to investigate and ascertain the cause of the fire and if found to be a deliberate act, we will ensure diligent and vigorous prosecution of those responsible.

“Several sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections were destroyed including 198 Smart Card Readers, printed register of voters, 13 generators as well as several Voting cubicles and office equipment.

“Fortunately, the ballot papers and result sheets for the elections were not affected and are intact

“Acting timeously, the commission has been able to replace and reconfigure all the destroyed Smart Card Readers and reprinted the register of voters. With the replacement and the salvage of other items, we are pleased to announce that the election will hold as scheduled. All registered voters in the LGA are therefore requested to turn up to cast their votes between 8am and 2pm tomorrow (today).

“Furthermore, the commission has been informed of the death of Hon. Adamu Kwanate, who until his death, was the member representing Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency (Mayo Belwa LGA) in the Adamawa State House of Assembly. He was also the candidate of the APC in the same constituency in the election scheduled for Saturday March 9, 2019.

“Consequently, INEC is compelled to countermand the Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency election for tomorrow (today) and the same has been rescheduled to Saturday March 23, 2019 in line with Section 36(1) of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended. The governorship election in the constituency and all other state constituencies elections will however proceed as scheduled.”

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