The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that fresh elections will be conducted in 59 polling units in the Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The electoral umpire has set the date for the fresh polls on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
The announcement was made by INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, in a statement released on Sunday night.
The decision follows the suspension of elections in certain locations in Kogi, where result sheets were reportedly completed before the commencement of voting.
According to the statement, “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, a fresh election will be held on Saturday 18th November 2023 in the affected Polling Units.”
According to INEC, its decision to conduct 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 umpire said.
The Commission reassured Kogi voters that their votes will continue to count.
The governorship elections in Bayelsa State and Imo State were also held on Saturday, with Governor Hope Uzodimma of the APC emerging victorious over his closest rivals from the PDP and Labour Party. Uzodimma secured 540,308 votes, defeating his competitors by a significant margin.
