By Rita Michael
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Commisioner for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, says no date has been fixed for bye-election in Bauchi South Senatorial district.
Abdullahi stated this in Bauchi on Friday.
He said that the Senate was yet to communicate to the Commission that the seat was vacant.
It would be recalled that Senator representing Bauchi South, Mallam Ali Wakili, slumped and died March 17, 2018 at his Abuja residence.
Currentky, about 22 aspirants are aspiring to contest the Bauchi Senatorial seat to succeed Ali Wakili.
According to Abdullahi, INEC has no say in the matter until the Senate writes to inform it of a vacancy.
He said according to Section 76, sub section 2 of the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic, it is until the National or State assembly communicates to the Commission that of a vacancy in the state or federal preparation for bye-election can commence.
He said that once a seat was declared vacant by the Senate President or the Speaker or House of Rep of the State as the case might be, INEC is then obligated to conduct a bye-election within 30 days after transmission of a letter to that effect.
He said, “There are a lot misconception as to why the delay; but I am not aware in the case if Senate (Bauchi South) that any such communication has been done by the Senate. Hope fully after Sallah any time the seat is declared we will conduct the bye-election within 30 days.”