INEC orders fresh election in nine wards of Kogi LGA

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.”