March 18 elections: No voters card, no voting – Zamfara REC insists

Attahiru Ahmed, Gusau

Zamfara state Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), professor Saidu Babura disclosed that the commission is fully prepared for Governorship and state Assembly elections, and insisted that no voter can vote without voter’s card.

Speaking on Tuesday in Gusau, during the stakeholders’ Forum for Governorship and state houses of Assembly 2023 elections, professor Babura further assured that nobody will be disenfranchised from voting in the state.

“INEC is fully prepared and assured the electorate on free, fair and credible elections, says no disabled persons, internally Displaced persons (IDP’s) would be disenfranchised from voting in the state.”

He disclosed that INEC has consolidated its efforts of all-inclusive and transparent elections by providing internally displaced person voting centres, where communities dislodged from the traditional inhabitants due to banditry, violent crisis or natural disasters can exercise their civic rights.

According to him, INEC has created additional polling units aimed at decongesting areas with more population and the easiest way for voters accreditation with the use of Bivas.

“Voters should feel confident, INEC has prepared and is ready for credible, acceptable, free and fair elections, but nobody will be allowed to vote without voter card, I said it and still saying it.”

In his remarks, the chief host who is also the national commissioner of INEC in charge of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states, professor Muhammad Sani Kalla disclosed that INEC is ready for Governorship and state Assembly elections in the states.

He urged the political parties to play their politics according to the Electoral act and avoid anything that may cause disharmony in the state.

The stakeholders’ Forum comprised of Media, leaders of political parties, security agencies, and political observers presents in the state.