INEC Fixes March 5 For Abia North Senatorial Re-run Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has fixed March 5, for the Abia North senatorial re-run election, ordered by the Court of Appeal which nullified the April 11, 2015 election of Hon. Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic (PDP).

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC) Mr. Sylvester Ezeani, the election will take place alongside other seven state constituency seats.

The Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) candidate for the March 2015 senatorial election and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, had challenged the declaration of Ohuabunwa by INEC as winner of the election, prompting the Court of Appeal to dismiss the election.

The REC disclosed the readiness of the commission to organise a free and fair election.

Ezeani also revealed that the commission has decided to adopt a simultaneous accreditation and voting process for the election which will commence by 8am and end by 2pm.

He noted that collation of results would commence immediately after voting is completed, saying that the entire process is expected to be completed by 4pm at the polling units and 6pm at the local government areas.

The Commissioner listed Aba North, Isiala Ngwa South, Ikwuano, Umuahia South, Arochukwu, Osisioma and Umunneochi, as the seven Local Government Areas, where the re-run will take place.

Ezeani, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders as well as political parties to adhere to the rules as provided in the Electoral Acts. Ahead of the rerun poll, the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State, Chief Eze Chikamnayo, has said that the former Governor Kalu, has emerged the consensus candidate for the zone, saying Kalu represents the collective aspiration of people of the zone.