Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State could not vote in the Niger East Senatorial District by-election on Saturday as he forgot his voter card in Abuja.
Aliyu was thus barred by the Independent National Electoral Commission from casting his vote.
His party, the Peoples Democratic Party, fielded a candidate for the election.
Aliyu told newsmen at the Umaru Musa Polling Unit in Minna, the state capital, that he would abide by the rule, which states that one cannot vote without having a voter card.
“I forgot my voter card in Abuja, which was human error, but I must commend those that came out to vote,” he said.
Aliyu, who was accompanied by his wife, said reports reaching him indicated a peaceful election in the zone.
The senatorial seat became vacant following the death of Senator Awaisu Kuta.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state, Dr. Emannuel Onucheyo, reiterated that the rule bars anybody without card from voting.
“The commission’s policy is: ‘no voter card, no voting,’ Onucheyo said in a text message on Saturday.