The Independent National Electoral Commission in Sokoto State, on Friday morning, commenced the distribution of sensitive materials for the Saturday supplementary elections across the state.
It was also observed that the National Commissioner in charge of the election in the state, Major General Modibo Alkali (retd.), and the acting Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hauwa Kangiwa, along with other top officials were in a strategic private meeting with the returning officers of the 13 federal legislative seats.
Recall that the results of the three Senatorial districts and that of 10 House of Representatives were declared inconclusive during the February 25, Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The distribution of materials which was held at the state headquarters of the commission had the various party officials, election observers, as well as media personnel in attendance.
Speaking with our correspondent, Abubakar Adamu, a leader of one of the political parties in the state said his party was fully ready for the election on Saturday.
He commended INEC officials, especially the National Commissioner, Major General Modibo Alkali (retd.) for restoring confidence in the system.
Adamu also appealed to other political actors in the state to put the interest of the state first ahead of their political ambition.
Meanwhile, some of the staff of the commission have expressed dissatisfaction with the process leading to their engagement for the exercise.
Investigation conducted by our correspondent revealed that officials of the commission in the state are not listed to participate in the election.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a staff of the commission in the state, disclosed that INEC from Abuja, deployed staff from across the country to conduct the election in the state.
“Imagine, as we speak to you now, our officials in the state do not know their role in the election, as all the tasks have been assigned to the INEC staffers that came from outside the state.
“How can they bring staff from other states to conduct the election and make us redundant here?” the Sokoto INEC staff queried.
“One would have expected that we will work together, but no, none of us here is allowed to be involved,” he said.
The election is expected to hold in the three Senatorial districts and 10 House of Representatives, out of the 11 Federal Constituencies in the state, The Punch reports.
