The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that fresh election would be held on Saturday, 18th November 2023 in the affected Polling Units in Kogi states where election was suspended last Saturday.
TheHintsNews reports that some staff of the commission were caught with completed results sheets while election was still ongoing which led to the suspension of election in the affected polling units.
INEC National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, in a statement issued Sunday said the resolution of the commission was in line with Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 59 of INEC Regulations and Guidelines on the Conduct of Elections 2022.
He noted that the decision to hold fresh elections was subject to the Returning Officer’s determination of the application of the Margin of Lead Principle.
Haruna explained that this decision was without prejudice to the commission’s avowed commitment to follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who might have been complicit in undermining the process and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.
He said: “Further to our Statement yesterday, we have received an update from our Kogi State office regarding the suspension of election in some locations in the State where result sheets were completed before the commencement of voting.”
Haruna noted that most critical incident occurred in nine out of 10 Wards in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area (LGA).
He stressed that the commission has received reports of similar and other incidents in Adavi — five Polling Units in Okunchi/Ozuri/Onieka Ward; Ajaokuta — five Polling Units in Adogo Ward; Okehi — one Polling Unit in Eika/Ohizenyi Ward; and Okene — five Polling Units in Obehira Uvete Ward).
The National Commissioner noted that results from the affected Polling Units have been accounted for in Form EC40G for the four LGAs.
Haruna added: “However, in the case of Ogori/Magongo LGA, only the result of Oshobane Ward II with eight Polling Units and 2,264 registered voters has been collated.
“Election in the other nine Wards (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) involving 59 Polling Units and 15,136 registered voters remain suspended.
“In line with Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 59 of INEC Regulations and Guidelines on the Conduct of Elections 2022, fresh election will be held on Saturday 18th November 2023 in the affected Polling Units.”
The commission reiterated its assurances to voters in Kogi State that their votes would continue to count and their wishes respected.