Senate asks INEC to conduct bye-elections in 6 districts

The Senate has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct by e-elections to fill six vacant positions in the Senate.

The Senate made the call on Wednesday, following a motion sponsored Ben Bruce (PDP-Bayelsa State).

The six vacant seats are in Anambra (1), Imo (1), Kogi (1) and Rivers (3).

The Senate decried failure of INEC to successfully conduct elections in those states.

In Rivers, for instance, violence marred rerun polls, thereby stalling the process.

The remaining seat in Kogi was declared inconclusive.

Mr. Bruce, leading the debate on his motion, said INEC owed the Senate explanation on why the pending re-run elections have not been conducted.

Non-representation of some states in the Senate amounts breach of the constitution, Mr. Bruce said.

“We have not had representation in this chamber from Rivers State, part of Anambra, Imo, Kogi and some other states, Mr. Bruce said.

“INEC concluded elections in one week in Federal Capital Territory but in these states they had no representation here and it does not make any sense.

“It is a violation of the constitution; the people of these states have a right to have representation here. The INEC Chairman owes us an explanation to explain why these elections have not been concluded.

“It is a simple matter and it is the responsibility of INEC to conclude these elections so that the people of these beautiful states have representation here in the Senate,” he added.