Date: 2015-01-05

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would, next week, make official pronouncement whether or not to go ahead with the conduct of a by-election into the vacant seat of Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe Constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly.

The seat is of one of the two constituencies from Kaiama Local Government Area of the state in the legislative arm.

It was learnt that the commission was weighing the option of conducting the by-election since the general elections are around the corner.

The Kaiama/Kemanji/ Wajibe seat in the state hallowed chamber became vacant following the death of a member representing the constituency, Hon Haliru Mohammed, in June last year.

A member of the state Assembly who would not want his name in print because he was not permitted to speak to the press, told The Herald at the weekend that the leadership of the House had appropriately communicated the electoral umpire on the vacant seat.The lawmaker said it was left to the INEC to take a position on what to do about the seat.

However, a senior official of the electoral body confided in The Herald reporter yesterday that official statement would be issued out next week on the next line of action.

The official said the INEC management in the state was still exploring all avenues on the matter.

"Of course, we have been communicated appropriately on the vacant seat. But we are still thinking about what to do whether to go ahead with a by-election or not. We are cognizant of the forthcoming general elections that is why we have not made our position known yet. I think by next week, official statement would be made available to the press on the matter", the official said.