INEC’ll cancel results of polling units with over voting record in Kwara

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin 

Kwara State Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mallam Garba Madami has said the commission would cancel results of polling units with record of over voting in the forthcoming general election.

He said with 2,887 polling units in the state, the commission is bracing up to conduct free, fair and credible election.

The REC stated this during an advocacy visit by National Coordinator, Women Situation Room Nigeria (WSRN) in Ilorin on Tuesday.

Madami added that the commission is advocating for the establishment of Electoral Offence Commission where electoral offenders would be tried.

“We are planning to ensure there’s no over voting in Kwara. Any polling unit where there’s over voting the whole polling unit result would be cancelled,” he said

He commended the various political parties in the state for their cooperation with the Commission.

 Speaking earlier, the state Police Commissioner, Paul Odama said the force has its control room that has sister agencies which would deal with any emergency or escalation on election day.

He said women voters would be given a row for easy voting exercise, adding that the force would do everything possible to ensure women are protected before, during and after the election.

Odama added that women officers would be deployed for election so as to create a gender balancing operation.

The commissioner noted that his command has been reaching out to stakeholders to help maintain the peace the state is known for.

 Also in his remarks, the state Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mohammed Ibrahim said the Corp is on the same page with the team as their duty is to ensure peaceful conduct of election and to ensure women are well protected as well allowed to perform their cvic duties.

Earlier the team leader and National Coordinator, WSRN,  Prof. Joy Onyesoh said the team was on the advocacy visit as women civil society led initiative that seeks to increase women substantive participation in political process and conflict prevention.

“Sequel to the above and as a major stakeholders in the state, we have seen it fit to meet with and engage you on the details of our plans of deploying accredited observers and setting up of election situation room with security agencies and partners in the state,” she said.

She noted that the advocacy asked for inclusion of women officers by stakeholders such as INEC, Police and NSCDC and gender sensitivity in all the processes.