Alleged underage voting: INEC investigative committee arrives Kano

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has inaugurated an eight man committee had yesterday commenced investigations into the alleged cases of voting by under aged persons, during the last Local Government elections held in Kano.

The investigative committee, chaired by Engr. Abubakar Nahuce was set up by the National chairman of INEC, professor Mahmud Yakubu, with the mandate to unravel if the voters register used during  the conduct of  the Kano Local Government election is  in tandem with the names of registered voters, on INEC’s record.

According to Nahuce, the aim of the electoral commission is not to pass judgment on the conduct of the LG polls, rather to ascertain, if the voters registered used is that, which was obtained from INEC.

The committee, which visited the headquarters of Kano Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC located on Sabo Bakin Zuwo road requested the state electoral body to furnish it, with the record of the  voters registration that was used  to conduct the LG elections, in the following areas,  Shahuci area, Kano Municipal Council registration area 21.

The august body further requested KANSIEC to  avail it,  with the voters register used to conduct the poll, in Gama registration area 2, Nassarawa Local Government registration area 31, and Gezawa registration area 3.

Nahuce disclosed that members of the committee had arrived Kano on Monday, adding that “ the committee  was tasked to ascertain, if the voter register requested by Kano Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC was actually that, which was used to conduct the Local Government Elections.

“We are to investigate the widespread report that persons below the statutory age of 18 years voted  using INEC’s register. Engage with stakeholders on issues related to the use of the voters register in the election.” Nahuce further said.

He disclosed that, the committee is directed to submit it’s findings, to INEC within the span of two weeks.

The chairman, Kano state Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, professor Garba Sheka in his remarks, said the commission will collaborate with the committee to ensure record success in its assignment.

According to him, the allegations trailing the Local Government polls has assumed international dimension.

He note that, the investigative committee  dispatched to the state by INEC will be allowed access to all relevant materials relating to the conduct of the election.

Professor Sheka though cautioned that, the conduct and the findings of the committee will reflect on the forth coming  2019 General Elections.

The committee composed by INEC , currently in Kano to conduct findings into the LG polls comprises of the following persons, Engineer Abubakar Nahuce, Chairman,  Barr. (Mrs) May Agbamuche Mbu,  Barr Mike Igini,  Barr. Kassim G. Geidam,  others are Yakubu M. Duku,  Rukayata Bummi,  Bello,  Paul Omokore,  and Jude Chikezie Okwuonu.

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