SaharaReporters on Saturday reported that before the commencement of the governorship election in Kogi State, some INEC officials deployed to Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of the state were caught with pre-recorded result sheets in nine out of 10 wards in the local government area.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled Saturday 18 for the conduct of a fresh election in areas in Kogi State where Saturday’s governorship poll was suspended on Saturday.
SaharaReporters on Saturday reported that before the commencement of the governorship election in Kogi State, some INEC officials deployed to Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of the state were caught with pre-recorded result sheets in nine out of 10 wards in the local government area.
Following the development, INEC issued a statement announcing the suspension of the election in the affected areas and other areas where similar incidents were recorded in the state.
On Sunday, INEC in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, announced that it will conduct a fresh election in the affected areas on Saturday, November 18.
The statement read, “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. The most critical incident occurred in nine out of 10 Wards in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area (LGA).
“We received reports of similar and other incidents in Adavi (5 Polling Units in Okunchi/Ozuri/Onieka Ward), Ajaokuta (5 Polling Units in Adogo Ward), Okehi (1 Polling Unit in Eika/Ohizenyi Ward) and Okene (5 Polling Units in Obehira Uvete Ward). Results from the affected Polling Units have been accounted for in Form EC40G for the four LGAs.
“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 18thNovember 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.”