Lokoja – The All Progressives Congress Campaign Council (APC-PCC) says the decision of the of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the Kabba/Ijumu Federal Constituency election of February 25 inconclusive was in order.
The Kabba/Ijumu APC-PCC which stated this in a statement on Thursday said action of the Returning Officer in declaring the election inconclusive was in line with the Electoral Act 2022 as amended .
The statement was signed by the Director-General of the Kabba/Ijumu APC-PCC, Hon. Yahaya Ismail.
The statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja said the decision did not generate any controversy as being said in some quarters.
The council said the claim by the ADC that its candidate won the election was not true as the election was yet yo be concluded.
He said the electoral act 2022 and INEC Regulations and Guidelines 2022 are very clear on when the Commission (INEC) can order for supplementary election where elections are deemed not to be concluded in line with the relevant laws.
He said the law states that
‘Where the margin of lead between the two leading candidates in an election is NOT in excess of the total number of voters who collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in Polling Units where elections are postponed, voided or not held in line with Sections 24(2 & 3), 47(3) and 51(2) of the Electoral Act 2022, the Returning Officer shall decline to make a return for the constituency until polls have been conducted in the affected Polling Units and the results collated into the relevant forms for
“Declaration and Return. This is the Margin of Lead Principle and shall apply wherever necessary in making returns for all elections in accordance with these Regulations and Guidelines.”
In line with the above, Ismail said the Returning Officer “did not make any return because the PVCs collected in the two affected polling units are in excess of the margin between the two leading candidates.
“Hence he ordered for supplementary election to conclude the process to make a return,” he said.
Ismail called on the party faithful and the good people of Kabba-Bunu/ Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State to remain calm, peaceful and law abiding as they await the new date for the supplementary election.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
