The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials in preparation for the Yobe East Senatorial and Fika/Fune Federal Constituency bye-election and rerun scheduled for Saturday. This action follows the request of the five contesting political parties and other key stakeholders in the electoral process.
At the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Damaturu, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Yobe, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, addressed the press during the distribution of the materials. He emphasized that the inspection and distribution of the sensitive materials align with the commission’s transparency policy.
Abdullahi outlined the subsequent process, stating that the materials will be distributed to the electoral officers who will further distribute them to the wards and polling units across the eight local government areas of the state — seven for the bye-election and one for the rerun. He assured that the materials will be transported under strict security escort by the military, police, and other relevant agencies to ensure their safe delivery to the designated locations.
He urged the electorate in these areas to participate in the election in an orderly manner, emphasizing the importance of exercising their voting rights.
The bye-election for the Yobe East Senatorial District will be conducted in seven local government areas: Damaturu, Gujba, Gulani, Tarmuwa, Bursari, Geidam, and Yunusari. Additionally, a rerun will take place in a unit in Shoye Garin Abba Registration Area 001, Balde Primary School of Fika Local Government Area under the Fika/Fune Federal Constituency.
INEC has already designated 4,232 ad hoc staff for deployment and prepared 1,339 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines for the electoral process.
