The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
ordered a fresh election in nine wards in Ogori Magongo LGA of Kogi state.
According to a statement on Sunday by Mohammed Haruna,
INEC’s national commissioner and member of information and voter education
committee, the election would be held in the affected wards on November 18.
On Saturday, INEC suspended the election in the nine wards
in Ogori Magongo LGA of Kogi state due to cases of electoral malpractice.
The commission had said irregularities such as completed result sheets before voting, and other serious issues were recorded in the wards.
The body added that reports indicated that incidents of
malpractice also occurred in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi and Okene LGAs, noting that
the incidences in the four LGAs would be thoroughly investigated.
However, Haruna said INEC has received an update from its
Kogi office regarding the suspension of election in the wards.
He said results from Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi
and Okene have been accounted for in form EC40G which is the summary of
registered voters in a polling unit where elections did not hold or were
cancelled.
He said 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,” the statement reads.
“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 decision to hold fresh elections is subject to the Returning
Officer’s determination of the application of the Margin of Lead Principle.
“However, this
decision is without prejudice to our avowed commitment to follow the audit
trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit
in undermining the process and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.
“The Commission wishes to reiterate its assurances to voters
in Kogi State that their votes will continue to count and their wishes
respected.”
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