By-election: Bauchi Commissioner lauds INEC, security agencies

The Bauchi state Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Danlami Kaule has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for prompt and smooth commencement of the ongoing by-election in the state.

Kaule, who made the commendation on Saturday after casting his vote at the Mararaba Liman Katagum Primary School polling unit, also lauded the security personnel at the polling unit for their neutrality, alertness and gallantry.

The Appeal Court has ordered for re-run election in 42 Polling Units in four State Assembly Constituencies of the state.

The constituencies are: Bauchi Central; Zungur/Galambi, Ningi 1 and Madara/Chinade.

Kaule said that the process of the election was going smoothly and people started casting their votes around 8:40am.

“There was no delay from INEC as the election materials arrived around 7:30am and the INEC officials as well as the security personnel had been on ground since that time.

“We are very impressed with INEC for this punctuality and orderliness and the security are neutral and are doing what is expected of them to be done in order to ensure orderliness too.

“They are both discharging their official responsibilities accordingly,” he said.

The commissioner however, urged the electorate who casts his vote to leave the polling unit for his normal business rather than staying around to make the place choked up.

Also speaking to newsmen, the Presiding Officer (PO) of the Polling unit, Tobias John, said everything was going on ‘very’ smoothly, adding that the electorate were cooperating with the process by abiding by the guidelines given to them.

The PO, who stated that the voting exercise would stop by 2pm, said that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines were working perfectly and faster.