According to a press release this evening, the independent National Electoral commission, INEC has after official complaints by its agents at some polling units in Kogi State suspended election at those affected areas.
Addressing the media, one of the members of the INEC said, “The Commission has received reports from our officials in Kogi State on incidences of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting. ”
And mentioning the affected areas he also said, “Reports indicate that the incidents occurred in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas. The most serious incidents occurred in Ogori/Magongo, affecting nine of 10 Registration Areas.”
The commission condemned the act and reiterate that ethics of the election process must be upheld. “This is entirely unacceptable. Any result not emanating from the Commission’s process in the Polling Units will not be accepted.
The Commission is determined not to reward bad behaviour. Consequently, the election in the nine Wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) is at this moment suspended. The incidences in the other Local Government Areas are being thoroughly investigated, and the outcome, including the way forward, will be announced in the next 24 hours.”
Speaking on how the issue is to be addressed in order to obtain a credible results, the commission also said, “Meanwhile, as the processes continue, we follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit in undermining the process. We have a record of all officials deployed at various levels as supervisors, monitors, technical staff or polling unit officials and all election materials issued to them. Appropriate sanctions will be applied where necessary.”
