The constituency became vacant last August when the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, who was representing Gamawa constituency was appointed Deputy Governor after the House impeached the re-instated Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Muhammadu Garba Gadi, from office. Since then the election did not hold because of a court injunction.
Journalists who monitored the election observed low turnout of voters and underage voting was recorded in some polling units though none of the presiding officers was allowed to speak with newsmen. They asked journalist to be patient, till they compiled their report and submitted it to their headquarters.
In some of the polling units visited, INEC officials turned away under age voters, but Sunday Trust observed INEC had provided both sensitive and non-sensitive materials to the polling units and the election commenced early in the morning.
Police had deployed 3,000 policemen in all the polling units and strategic places to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
As at the time of filing this report elections had been concluded in some of the polling units, but people were waiting for the results of the election.
Assistant Director Public Affairs of INEC, Alhaji Garba Mohammed, told newsmen that the electoral body had provided all non sensitive materials and sensitive materials to Gamawa for the smooth conduct of the exercise and “we are committed to ensure a credible free and fair election.”
Garba said five political parties participated in the election and the candidates and their parties included Danladi Maigari (AC) Yau Garba (AD), Ibrahim Garba (PDP) Hauwa Ibrahim (PPA), and Awwal Ali from ANPP. “Who ever wins the majority of votes we will announce him as the winner,” he added.
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