ALLEGED UNDERAGE VOTING: INEC INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE ARRIVES KANO
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.
