By Umar Faruk, Birnin Kebbi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Kebbi state office on Thursday tasked Electoral Officers to be neutral, fair, just and exhibit the fear of God Almighty while discharging their duties.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Sarkin-Pawa, made this assertion while addressing colliation officers at the end of a training session in respect of the two exercises held at the state INEC headquarters in Birnin Kebbi.
He said that bye election will be conducted in Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski federal constituency following the appointment of the member representing the area, Dr Yusuf Tanko-Sununu as Minister of State, Education.
While a re-run election will also be conducted on the same date, Saturday, Feb. 3, in 25 polling units of Arewa/Dandi federal constituency in compliance with court judgement.
Sarkin-Pawa said: “I want to urge you to be neutral, just and fair while discharging your legitimate responsibilities as colliation officers. More so, as staff of INEC, you are supposed to be apolitical in the forthcoming bye and rerun elections.”
The REC reminded the trainees that they were selected based on their past track records, especially their performance in the 2023 general elections and urged them to maintain the tempo towards credible elections.
Also in a related development, the commission also distributed sensitive materials for the conduct of the bye and re-run elections .
Speaking shortly after the distribution, the REC said: “We have just witnessed the distribution of sensitive materials for a re-run election in Arewa and Dandi local government areas and bye election in Yauri, Shanga and Ngaski local government areas.
“We thank God Almighty that the exercise was done peacefully and successfully. I want to use this medium to thank all political parties who responded promptly for the exercise.”
He than appreciated security agencies for given them cover to ensure the success of the exercise as well as the media who according to him had been playing important role towards the success of INEC activities.
