The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the Kogi West Senatorial Election would be conducted simultaneously with the November 16 governorship election in Kogi state.
Similarly, the commission has also fixed 30th November 2019 for the conduct of a bye-election in Sabuwa State Constituency of Katsina State.
According to a statement on Monday by the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the fixing of a new date for the Kogi election “is Sequel to the nulliflcation of the Kogi West Senatorial District election conducted on 23” February 2019 by the Election Petitions Tribunal and its subsequent affirmation by the Court of Appeal which ordered the Commission to conduct a fresh election within 90 days from me date of judgment (11th October 2019) with all those who participated in it as eligible candidates.
Okoye explained that for the Sabuwa Constituency in Katsina State, “the Katsina State House of Assembly vide a letter with Reference Number KTSHA/PER/HON/l24/VOL.l/24 dated 26th September 2019 notified the Commission of the death of Hon. Mustapha Abdullahi, who represented Sabuwa State Constituency of Katsina State and the subsequent declaration of vacancy by the Katsina State House of Assembly.”
The commission stated that “Following extensive consultations with stakeholders and a review of the security situation with the relevant security agencies, the Commission has fixed 30th November 2019 for the conduct of a bye-election for the State constituency.”
It noted that “The Commission will issue the Notice of Election on 23rd October 2019. The conduct of party primaries will take place between 24th October and 6th November 2019 while the last day for the submission of personal particulars of candidates (form CF001) and the list of candidates (Form CFOOZ) is 8th November 2019 by 6pm.
“The last day for the submission of names and addresses of polling agents is 15m November 2019 and campaigns’will end on 28’“ November 2019.
“The detailed timetable and schedule of activities has been uploaded on the Commission’s website.
Part of the statement read: “The Commission has also fixed 16th November 2019 for the conduct of a fresh election in the Kogi West Senatorial District. The election will take place simultaneously with the Kogi Govemorship election.
“This is sequel to the nulliflcation of the Kogi West Senatorial District election conducted on 23″ February 2019 by the Election Petitions Tribunal and its subsequent affirmation by the Court of Appeal which ordered the Commission to conduct a fresh election within 90 days from me date of judgment (11” October 2019) with all those who participated in it as eligible candidates.
“We appeal to the candidates and political parties to conduct issue-based campaigns. We also enjoin stakeholders to eschew violence and avoid acts capable of creating apprehension or a sense of fear before, during and after the elections.”
