The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately sanction Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the resident electoral commissioner in Adamawa, for violating the Electoral Act in the state’s supplementary governorship election.

The director of CDD, Idayat Hassan, in a statement on the supplementary election in Adamawa, condemned the alleged violation of the act and called for a prompt conclusion of the poll.

“CDD observed with utmost concern the unhealthy twist of events involving the INEC resident electoral commissioner (INEC), who illegally took over the responsibility of the returning officer by declaring the result of the governorship election,” Ms Hassan said.

The INEC official had announced Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the election winner, which stirred controversy.

However, Ms Hassan maintained that it was an insult to the procedure for the commissioner to have made the announcement when he was not empowered by the law to do so.

She said apart from the fact that such a step was patently illegal, the action of the REC was capable of provoking the breakdown of law and order.

The CDD director added that this was considering the tense political atmosphere in the state, given the inconclusive governorship poll and the subsequent supplementary poll.

Citing section 25 (2f) of the Electoral Act 2022, Ms Hassan said the staff’s action could undermine law and order in the state. She stressed that CDD similarly called for the process spelt out in the law to be followed in promptly declaring the winner of the governorship election.

“We urge INEC to ensure the prompt conclusion of the process in line with provisions of the Electoral Act and other extant guidelines,” stated Ms Hassan.

(NAN)