The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency election following the death of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s poll, Adamu Kwanate.
Kwanate until his death was the member representing Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency (Mayo Belwa LGA) in the Adamawa State House of Assembly.
The election will now hold on 23rd March 2019.
The rescheduling of the election which was done in line with Section 36 (1) of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended will however not affect polls in other areas of the state.
This is as INEC also confirmed the fire incident in Akwa-Ibom state.
INEC in a statement signed by the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye stated ” 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 All Progressives Congress (APC) in the same Constituency in the election scheduled for Saturday 9th March, 2019.
“Consequently, INEC is compelled to countermand the Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency election for tomorrow and the same has been rescheduled to Saturday 23rd March, 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 tomorrow.
On the fire incident, INEC assures that it will not affect the conduct of the elections in the area.
He also assured the general public that the commission will ensure that those behind it arson face the full wrath of the law
He stated: “wishes to inform the public with regret of yet another fire incident. This time its office in lbesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa lbom State which occurred in the early hours of today, Friday. 8th March 2019.
“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 tomorrow‘s Governorship and State House of Assembly elections were destroyed including 198 Smart Card Readers, the printed Register of Voters, 13 Generators as well as several Voting Cubicles and office equipment.
“Fortunately, the ballot papers and results for the elections were not affected and are intact. Acting timely, 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 proceed as scheduled. All registered voters in the Local Government Area are therefore requested to turn up to cast their votes between 8am and 2pm tomorrow. “
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