INEC Suspends Election In Kogi. The current election in Kogi State has been halted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to Plateau News, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner, Member Information, and Voter Education Committee, announced this in a statement on Saturday night.
The Electoral Commission cited instances of misconduct, namely results sheets completed before voting.
Haruna stated that the election has been halted in nine wards of Kogi State’s Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area and that the location would not recognize any results, adding that occurrences in other LGAs are being probed.
LIVE UPDATES: Results of Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa Governorship Elections
“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,” the statement said.
“According to reports, the incidents took place in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene Local Government Areas.” The most significant events took place in Ogori/Magongo, involving nine of the ten Registration Areas.
“This is really unacceptable. Any results obtained outside of the Commission’s process at the Polling Units shall be rejected.
“The Commission is adamant about not rewarding bad behaviour.” As a result, the election in the nine Wards of Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben, and Oturu) has been postponed for the time being. The incidents in the other LGAs are being properly reviewed, and the conclusion, including further steps, will be revealed within the next 24 hours.
“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.
