Jigawa By-election: INEC Officials Stop LG Chairman From Voting In Gwaram

In Gwaram Local Government Council in Jigawa State, authorities from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have prevented Chairman Dan Asabe Muhammad from voting.

When the local government chairman addressed the election officials at the Kofar Fada polling unit in Sara ward, he asked to vote without a voter card.

Muhammad, who arrived in a convoy at the polling station, pleaded with INEC officials to compromise on the use of card readers so that he may vote.

Due to the chairman’s refusal to submit his card, the presiding officer of Kofar Fada 001 polling unit denied him the right to vote.

“The chairman who took time to explain that he has misplaced his card but has crossed checked and saw his name pasted on the wall with no 597 as his designated number but politely told him that, “I m sorry sir, I know you’re the council chairman but I cannot allow you to vote without your voters card, that’s the rule”. the presiding officer stated.

Despite pressure from the police officer and politicians in the chairman’s firm, the electoral officer maintained that the chairman would not vote.

The chairman stormed out of the polling station, enraged that he had been refused the chance to vote.

This comes after INEC stated that no poll in Jigawa will be held without the usage of card readers.

“Any polling unit that compromise the use of card readers such result will not be counted and will not be considered and no fresh election will be conducted in the area

INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye while inspecting the by-election, said all the process of the election is going smoothly and priority is given to the elderly persons and persons living with disabilities.