SUMMARY OF THE REPORT OF THE KAFIN HAUSA STATE CONSTITUENCY BYE-ELECTION HELD ON SATURDAY 6TH MARCH, 2021 IN JIGAWA STATE

 

SUMMARY OF THE REPORT OF THE KAFIN HAUSA STATE CONSTITUENCY BYE-ELECTION HELD ON SATURDAY 6TH MARCH, 2021 IN JIGAWA STATE

SUMMARY OF THE REPORT OF THE KAFIN HAUSA STATE CONSTITUENCY BYE-ELECTION HELD ON SATURDAY 6^TH MARCH, 2021 IN JIGAWA STATE

Introduction

The Nigerian Progressive Women and Youth Development Initiative is a Non-Organization established to empower the poor in the society throughout job creation, opportunities and poverty alleviation and assist women and youth to be economically independent through creation of vocational center.

In line with the electoral act 2010 (as amended) INEC organized KAFIN HAUSA State Constituency Bye-Election on 6^th March, 2021 in Jigawa state. The election took place in 6 electoral wards of Kafin Hausa state constituency.

Namely, DumaDumma, Gafaya, Kafin Hausa, Kazalewa, Ruba, Sarawa.

The purpose of the election is to replace the vacant position created by the death of a member representing the constituency at the state level.

The commission complied with the electoral guide line mandating them to conduct any vacant election within 90 days. The election was keenly contested by Six political parties Namely; APC, PDP, ADP, APM, APC, based on the report from the field and general observation on the conduct of the Kafin Hausa State Constituency By-election, we observe the following:

 

1.     The Kafin Hausa State Constituency Bye-Election actually took place on 6^th March, 2021.

2.     The election was well relatively calm, peaceful and very transparent without any interference from any quarter.

3.     The election was well contested and the participating political parties received the votes.

4.     We observed that the election management body was very careful to make available all the materials both sensitive and Non-sensitive to the various polling units.

5.     The distribution of the electoral materials was adequately distributed to the various polling unit and on time.

6.     There was high impressive turnout of voters for the election in rural areas but relatively low in the urban areas due to many of them who have registered for the continuous voter registration have not collected their permanent voter’s card due to Voters Sensitization and Mobilization in the state.

7.     We also observed that the ban on vehicular movement was not effectively enforced, hence people were going about their normal business in the urban areas except on highway where security personnel ensure compliance.

8.     We observed that the security arrangement was strong, therefore the Police, Immigration, Road Safety, Civil Defence Corps Personnel are all commended in this regard

9.     We observed presence of political party agent at all polling units

10.             Availability of original results sheets in all polling units visited and form our stationed observers.

11.            The electoral officers were orderly and professional in their conduct.

12.            Improve turnout of women eligible voters in most polling units.

13.            In Kafin Hausa Ward Code 05 unit the Election starts 8:30am, the estimated turnout of voters was high, all the security personnel were identifiable and political party agent were present.

14.            In Kazalewa Ward Code 06, the polling unit was opened early, the turnout of voters was high and card readers was fast. The electoral environment was peaceful, General assessment of the entire process was good.

15.            We also visited Sarawa Ward Unit 10, the election started by 8:30am – 9am, the party agent was on ground and.

16.            All the COVID 19 protocol was observed in the wards and units (Using of Face mask, Hand sanitizer and 2m Distance between voters).

 

VOTER ACCREDITATION, VOTING PROCESS AND COUNTING

Reports from across the ward and polling units indicate smooth process in all the area we visited. There is no complain of shortage of ballot paper, it was peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible election across all the wards and polling units. The electorates conducted themselves in a peaceful manner across all the wards.

 

RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM AND MEDIA CONDUCT

We appreciate the conscious effort of the Nigeria media both print and electronic to operate in conformity with extant rules and regulations.

 

COMMENDATION

-         We commend INEC official and ad-hoc staffs for patriotically carrying out their responsibilities.

-         We comment INEC in for the general improvement in the conduct of the Bye-election

-         We commend the civil society organization/observer’s groups (domestic and foreign) deployed to KafinHause, Jigawa State for their professional conducts.

-         We commend the role played by traditional and religious institutions toward ensuring non-violent and peaceful elections.

-         We commend the Media for the active role played during the Bye-elections.

-         We commend the Jigawa State government for providing peaceful enabling environments for peaceful conduct of the Bye-elections.

-         We commend the security agencies for providing adequate security for lives and properties during the Bye-elections.

 

RECOMMENDATION

Following the above observation and to improve on our electoral processes, we wish to recommend the following: -

 

a)     The policy of no movement during election should be maintained in the future elections as out team observed majority of citizens going their normal business during the election despite the heavy presence of police and other law enforcement Agencies.

b)    The government and the election management body should engage committed Civil Society Groups on an intensive civil voter education, sensitization and mobilization ahead of 2023 general election.

 

c)     Priority should be given to the election materials in the state in terms of distribution of election materials to ensure quick and timely commencement of election in such areas.

d)    Political parties should ensure a wide spread presence of their party agents in all the polling units for effective representation during the election.

e)     It is noteworthy to mention the excellent performance of INEC in the conduct of the bye-election.

 

CONCLUSION

Finally, having taken entire processes into consideration our group adjudged the election transparent, peaceful and credible.

It met the international acceptable standard of election hence the result should be accepted by all the candidates as it reflects the wishes of the people.

 

 

Thanks,

Yours faithfully,

 

 

Mrs. Femi Rachael Oluwasogo

National Coordinator