Rerun poll: INEC suspends Plateau electoral official over missing ballot papers

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended Fred Ogboji, the electoral officer for Jos north LGA.

In a letter to Ogboji on Sunday, Isah Idakwo, head of electoral operations, said the suspension would allow the commission to investigate the case of missing ballot papers during Saturday’s rerun election.

Idakwo directed the electoral officer to hand over to Elekwa Onyemauche, the local government supervisor.

“You are directed to step aside from Office to enable the Commission carry out proper investigation and circumstances that lead to the missing of Federal House of Representatives ballot papers in 16 polling units in your Local Government,” the letter reads.

“You are further directed to handover to Barr. Elekwa Onyemauche the Local Government Supervisor and the two RA Supervisors of Tudun Wada Kapong and Naraguta B (E.O Shendam and E.O Kanke Local Government Areas respectively) to coordinate and complete the remaining process.”

On Saturday, INEC rescheduled elections in 16 polling units in Jos north/Bassa federal constituency of Plateau, due to the missing ballot papers.

The election was rescheduled to February 4.

Oliver Agundu, the resident electoral commissioner (REC), had said the commission discovered the missing ballot papers on the eve of the rerun, adding that the case had been referred to the security agencies for investigation.

“Determined that voters in the affected polling units were not disenfranchised, the commission convened a stakeholders’ meeting to explain the situation and discuss the way forward,” he said.

“It was resolved that the commission should remobilise and conduct the election in the affected polling units on Sunday, February 4, 2024, to conclude the process in the federal constituency.”