Attacks have no bearing on election results – Bauchi REC

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Bauchi State, Prof. Hamman Tukur, has said that Saturday’s attacks on some polling units in Darazo, Kirfi and Alkaleri towns will have no effect on elections results.

Reacting on Sunday to the reported attacks by unknown gunmen, Tukur noted that the attacks took place when polls had closed in Kirfi and Alkaleri.

He said that the attacks took place while elections were on in Darazo.

Tukur said that INEC was informed in good time about the attacks, and that that it reported the matter to security agencies which responded promptly.

According to him, no life was lost to the attacks, and no serious damage done to materials.

“The matter was brought under control in Darazo, and voting continued normally,” he added.

The REC said that INEC was also aware of a case of hoarding of result sheets by some officials.

He said that the case was reported to security agencies and information on the suspected persons handed over to them.

‘We got information that some polling units in Bauchi metropolis were not given result sheets even though we dispatched them.

“We alerted security agencies and gave them details of eight persons suspected to be behind the problem.

“Three have already been arrested and are in police custody while we supplied extra result sheets to the affected polling units through the electoral officer in charge of Bauchi,’’ he said.

Tukur also said that results were still being expected from collation centres in local government areas and would soon reach the commission’s headquarters.