INEC conducts Niger East by-election Aug 16

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday said it would conduct a by-election in Niger East Senatorial District on August 16 to fill the position created by the death of Senator Awaisu Kuta, who represented the zone until his death.

Briefing stakeholders on the proposed time table and schedule of activities for the by-election at INEC’s headquaters in Minna, the Resident Electoral Commission, Emmanuel Onucheye, assured the stakeholders that notice would be made not later than 14 days before August 16.

Onucheye said, “The National Assembly informed the Commission of Senator Kuta’s death on the July 17, 2014, and we all know that the tenure of the current Assembly expires in 11 months’ time (June 2015).

“And Section 76 of the 1999 Constitution mandates the Commission to conduct a by-election to fill this vacant seat within one month from the date of formal notification (Section 79, 1999 constitution).”

Onucheye added, “As a result, the state office has proposed Saturday, August 16, 2014 for the by-election. We called for this meeting because we need to inform you that we can not make moves until the Senate writes us. They (Senate) wrote us on the July 17, but it reached my table on the 20th.”

The REC however assured the stakeholders that voters would use the temporary voters’ card during the by-election because the Permanent Voters Card had not been distributed in Niger State.

After the deliberations, the stakeholders unanimously agreed on a 30-day period, which commenced on the July 17, thereby adopting the August 16,2014 election day proposed by the INEC.

INEC said, “Notice of election and notice of Poll will be on July 30, collection of forms CF001 and CF002 by political parties will be on August 4, 2014. Late day of submission of forms CF001 and CF002, personal particulars and sworn affidavit of nominated candidates will be on August 8, 2014.

“Publication of personal particulars and forms CF001 of nominated candidates will be on August 11 2014. The last day for withdrawal/replacement of withdrawn candidates by political party will be on the August 12 why the publication of nomination and submission of names and addresses by party agents will be on the August 13.

“Last day of campaign will be on August 14 with the by-election taking place on the August 16, 2014.”