Alhaji Shu’aibu Iliyasu, who ran for Kurfi state constituency under the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Katsina State, is calling for a recount of the ballots used during the March 18th election in the area.

According to a letter from his lawyer, Muhammad Bello-Gachi, which was submitted to the Katsina branch of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dated March 23, 2023, the request is for the recounting of ballot papers used during the election in Kurfi State’s constituency, Katsina State. A copy of the letter was made available to the media on Saturday in Katsina.

The lawyer, Muhammad Bello-Gachi, on behalf of his client, Alhaji Shu’aibu Iliyasu, expressed dissatisfaction with the declaration and return made by the returning officers of Wurma (A), Wurma (B) and Barkiya Registration Area/Wards. As a result, they have applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Katsina, invoking Section 65 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, to review the declaration and return made by the returning officers.

The request is for a recount of all the ballot papers used in the wards. The lawyer believes that the declaration and return made by the returning officers were made involuntarily and/or contrary to the provisions of the law, regulations, guidelines, and manual for the conduct of the election.

The letter also requested that the exercise be carried out urgently before the commission sets a date for the re-run elections at some designated polling units within the Kurfi state constituency. Bello-Gachi confirmed that the letter was submitted to INEC, and the Katsina INEC legal officer, Naziru Salisu, also confirmed the receipt of the letter. Salisu said that the commission would look into the request and respond appropriately to the complainant by Monday.