The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kaduna State has assured that the upcoming rerun and by-elections scheduled for February 3 will not be affected by security concerns.
In a conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Aminu Idris, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for INEC in Kaduna, emphasized the commission’s preparedness and collaboration with security agencies to ensure a peaceful voting process. Idris highlighted that, based on experiences from past elections, special attention is being given to potential hotspots to prevent violence and ensure smooth voting and result collation.
INEC has taken proactive steps, deploying non-sensitive materials to the seven local governments involved, with sensitive materials expected to arrive shortly before the election. The commission, emphasizing transparency, has invited stakeholders, including the media, to observe the process. Logistical arrangements, including transportation for election materials and personnel, have been organized in collaboration with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The elections will encompass six constituencies across seven local government areas, involving over 600,000 registered voters with collected PVCs. INEC is also focusing on the recruitment and training of approximately 4,000 staff, including ad hoc personnel, drawing from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and local educational institutions.
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Nationally, INEC is set to conduct 44 supplementary elections across the country. This was announced by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information Voter Education Committee (IVEC) of INEC. The bye-elections, prompted by resignations and deaths of assembly members, will span nine states, covering two senatorial districts, four federal constituencies, and three state constituencies.
In the recent Nigerian elections, the pervasive issue of insecurity significantly impacted the voting process, raising concerns about the integrity and credibility of the democratic exercise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faced substantial challenges, with 50 recorded attacks on its offices between 2019 and 2022, underscoring the direct influence of violence and instability on the election apparatus​.
The socio-economic underpinnings of this insecurity were evident, with unemployment and poverty identified as key drivers behind the rise in violence. Young people, lacking job opportunities, were swayed into joining gangs and separatist movements, thereby contributing to the chaotic security landscape
