The Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended the rerun elections in Kunchi/Tsanyawa constituency in Kano State which held on 3rd February 2024, after suspected political thugs reportedly disrupted the election processes in 10 Polling Units of the area.
Despite the preparations by security agencies and INEC, the election faced huge challenges.
It was gathered that the thugs stormed the area, hijacked, and took away election materials despite the presence of heavy security personnel at the polling units.
According to a statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr. Sam Olumekun, the elections were suspended due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials.
He said the thugs invaded and vandalized all the 10 polling units in Kunchi/ Tsanyawa Constituency of Kano State, a situation that outrightly disrupted the activities.
The Commission said the decision to suspend the elections aligns with the provision of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
But till now, after 11 months, elections have not been held in the Tsanyawa/Kunchi constituency comprising two local government areas.
The constituency has remained the longest without a representative in the Kano State House of Assembly.
Residents of the area believe this situation violates electoral laws and the Constitution of Nigeria, as well as an infringement on their right as Nigerians who are to have representatives in the state assembly.
Speaking with some people in the constituency, DAILY POST established that there was discontent among them over the delay, while demanding to know why the election was yet to be conducted after close to one year without a cogent reason from the body saddled with such responsibility.
Ashiru Abdulhamid Yan Dadi, one of the residents of the area, said, “The lack of representation has set us back. We lack basic amenities, and many youths have completed their education but are unemployed. As a result, some are forced to migrate to Abuja or Lagos in search of opportunities, while those who remain rely solely on farming.” He called on the Kano State Government and the electoral commission to assist the constituency.
Dauda Jawwara, a young politician in the Kunchi/Tsanyawa area, lamented: “Many have left; as for us here, we have no state or federal representation, we are completely detached from governance, we are not reaping the benefits of democracy in our two local governments.”
Well, in 2023, an appeal court annulled the election of the constituency’s representative, Garba Yau Gwarmai of APC and ordered a rerun on grounds of a petition filed by NNPP candidate Yusif Ali Maigado.
Just last week, DAILY POST reported how residents of Shanono/Bagwai Local Government Areas complained about not conducting elections.
Although no official explanation has been given by the electoral commission for the postponement, a highly placed source close to the commission indicated that it would take place next week, 18th January. This is, however, unlikely because less than 10 days to the date, there are no visible indications of any serious preparations by the commission.
INEC’s delay in Tsanyawa/Kunchi rerun elections sparks outrage among residents