TheCable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will relocate 357 polling units to safer areas due to security challenges in Katsina.

Speaking at a media briefing on Friday, Hussain Jafar, INEC’s head of operations in the state, said out of the 34 LGAs in the state, 12 had been identified with security challenges.

“Out of the 361 registration areas, there are 73 with security challenges. And finally, out of the 6,652 PUs, there are 357 with security challenges,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“All the necessary procedures for the relocation of the affected PUs have been provided and the commission has received some of the non-sensitive electoral materials.”

On his part, Ibrahim Makarfi, the state’s resident electoral commissioner (REC), said the measure is necessary to ensure that all internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state are allowed to cast their votes during the 2023 elections.

He said the Electoral Act 2022 has made clear provisions on the conduct of elections in emergency situations.

“In specific terms, section 24 of the Electoral Act 2022 provides for the commission, for as far as practicable, to ensure that no persons displaced as a result of an emergency is disenfranchised,” he said.

“We will, therefore, ensure that as far as is practicable, we would provide every eligible voter with the opportunity to exercise his franchise as provided by the law.

“We have been working closely with stakeholders and security agencies in constant evaluation of the situations in areas facing security challenges for strategic approach.

“We will ensure successful conduct of a free, fair, credible poll free from intimidation or molestation.”

Katsina has witnessed attacks by bandits, with residents of several LGAs displaced from their homes.

In June 2022, Sa’ad Salihu, a representative of the IDPs in Jibia LGA in the state, had said about 20,000 people have been displaced from their communities by bandits. 

“Some of the IDPs are there in some parts of Niger Republic; all in all, about 20,000 people were sacked out of their communities by the bandits,” he had said.

“At least, 23 women and children have died at the camp within four months, either as a result of hypertension or depression, while 35 women gave birth.

“Over 3,000 children who are currently in the camp cannot have access to education at the moment.

“From the Shimfida community alone, we have 8,000 people that are in this camp; Far Faru community, over 7,000 and about 200 are from the Zango community.”