Nasarawa state LG polls: Results to be announced from midnight–NASIEC Chair

By David Odama

Chairman, Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC), Barrister Ayuba Wandai Usman has said that the commission would commence release of the council polls conducted saturday in the state as from midnight.

According to the Chairman, collation and announcement of results of the local government elections would be at the instance of all critical stakeholders as well as the result been transmitted live by the media.

NASIEC Chairman who revealed this while chatting with Journalists after inspection of some polling units across the state, said the turnout of voters was massive despite a spate of voter apathy which he attributed to communal consensus.

He said the participation of 14 political parties in the electoral process underscored the confidence of the parties in the election, noting that the use of technology had further made the process seamless and efficient.

He noted that the success of the election is reflective of the robust awareness campaign carried out by the commission, the cooperation of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the relentless determination of security agencies to maintain peace and public order.

While responding on the incidents of late arrival of sensitive and non-sensitive materials at some polling units, the NASIEC boss said only some riverine areas encountered such problems which were contained by the commission’s swift response team.

He equally emphasised NASIEC’s commitment to upholding democracy by ensuring an acceptable, transparent and credible election outcome.

It would be recalled that Governor Abdullahi Sule casted his vote at his country home in Gudi, Akwanga local government, amidst public excitement, while his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe equally exercised his franchise in Doma.

On his part, the National Chairman of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commission, Jossy Eze, described the election as impressive in spite of challenges of security and socio-economic situation in the country.

Eze said the forum which was on an observation mission had witnessed a peaceful conduct of the polls “with no violence or acrimony.