The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has tentatively fixed next Saturday, November 18, for the election to be held in nine wards in which election was suspended over discovered malpractices in the Kogi State governorship election held yesterday, November 11.
The nine Wards are Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu, involving 59 Polling Units and 15,136 registered voters.
In a statement today, November 12, the INEC’s
National Commissioner & Member
Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said that 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.
“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.
According to Mohammed Haruna, the new decision has been taken following an update received from the 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.”
He assured the voters in Kogi State that their votes will continue to count and their wishes respected.
