The Independent National Electoral Commission has cancelled elections in 10 Polling Units of Kunchi and Tsanyawa local government areas of Kano state due to electoral violence by suspected political thugs.
The electoral umpire said that Saturday’s elections in the affected local polling units have been cancelled as there were reported cases of violence.
A statement signed by Sam Olumekun, the commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said the suspension was a result of disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials.
The statement said the elections were also cancelled in some local government areas in Enugu and Akwa Ibom states as election materials were snatched and violence erupted in some polling units in the states.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces the suspension of ongoing re-run elections in specific constituencies due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials”.
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“In Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State, suspension of elections in all ten Polling Units in Kunchi LGA due to invasion,
vandalization, and disruption by thugs”, partly read the statement.
Justifying its decision to annul the elections, INEC said the decision aligns with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
It said further necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the Commission’s meeting on Monday.
“INEC invites the security agencies to investigate the incidents, while the Commission
commits to thoroughly interrogating any breaches involving its officials”, it added.
