BREAKING: INEC to Conduct Fresh Election in Parts of Kogi State, Details Emerge
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements
Kogi state, Lokoja - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, November 12, said it will conduct a fresh election in some parts of Kogi state.
Source: Facebook
INEC reveals move to hold fresh elections in some parts of Kogi state
This is in line with the reports of violence the commission received from its officials which led to the suspension of results in some locations on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
INEC made this announcement known on Sunday evening, in a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, national commissioner and member information and voter education committee, shared via its X page (formerly Twitter) @inecnigeria.
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The commission disclosed that the decision to conduct a fresh election was backed by the state's returning officer’s determination of the application of the margin of lead principle.
INEC stated thus:
"UPDATE ON THE SUSPENSION OF ELECTION IN SOME LOCATIONS IN KOGI STATE
"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."
Yahaya Bello’s deputy loses LGA to SDP’s Ajaka in Kogi guber election
Legit.ng reported earlier that the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi state, Murtala Ajaka, won Olamaboro local government area.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Edward David Onoja, is from Odidoko-Emonyoku in Ogugu District of the LGA.
The SDP candidate scored 22,173 votes to defeat Onoja’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Usman Ododo, who polled 5,572.
Source: Legit.ng
