Kaduna: Prof. Saidu Babura-Ahmad, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kaduna, announced the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) commitment to conducting a credible by-election in three federal constituencies within the state. The by-election is scheduled for August 16 in the Chikun, Kajuru, and Zaria Kewaye/Zaria Sabon Gari Federal Constituencies.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the announcement was made during a stakeholders' engagement in Kaduna, where Babura-Ahmad introduced himself and discussed the preparations for the by-elections. He stated that the polls would take place in 1,169 Polling Units (PUs) across 33 Registration Areas (RAs), with the deployment of 4,829 ad hoc staff and 947 vehicles to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.
Babura-Ahmad emphasized the commission's commitment to free, credible, and transparent polls, highlighting the collaboration with stakeholders and security agencies to provide a fair environment for all political parties and candidates. He also mentioned measures to prevent voter disenfranchisement and ensure coverage of hard-to-reach areas.
Yakubu Duku, Administrative Secretary of INEC, assured that the commission would address the lapses observed during the 2023 General Elections and previous by-elections in the state. He reiterated INEC's determination to conduct polls that would be free, fair, and acceptable to all parties involved.
Rabiu Muhammad, the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna, encouraged residents to remain law-abiding, assuring them of adequate personnel deployment for a peaceful election process. Additionally, Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim, State Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), pledged the union's support to facilitate successful polls.
In their separate remarks, Gambo Santos and Bashir Rabe-Mani, Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Zonal Manager of NAN Kaduna, respectively, emphasized the significant role of the media in ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.