The INEC on Saturday said it has suspended the ongoing governorship election in nine wards of Ogori – Magongo Local Government area of Kogi State due to malpractices.
The suspension was contained in a statement by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner & Member of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
There are 19 wards in the local government which is the Kogi central senatorial district .
The statement did not specify the total number of polling units affected by the suspension of election in nine wards but it has so far uploaded results from 8 polling units in the local government area.
Earlier report by Vital News said the governorship election did not hold in the local government due to non-arrival election materials and officials.
However, the situation took a new turn when filled INEC election result sheets surfaced in the local government.
A male suspect with fake election result sheets and N1million cash was apprehended and handed over to security agents.
INEC in the statement promised to identify and punish any of its staff that is complicit in this electoral fraud.
In the statement, INEC
described as shocking, incidents of electoral malpractice that have been reported in Kogi State.
It said : “The malpractices, notably the completion of result sheets before voting, have marred the integrity of the electoral process.
“Reports point to widespread irregularities in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene Local Government Areas.
“The most severe infractions occurred in Ogori/Magongo, impacting nine out of ten Registration Areas.
“In response to these unacceptable actions, the Commission has taken a decisive stand against rewarding such behavior.
“Consequently, the election in the nine Wards of Ogori/Magongo LGA, namely ; Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben, and Oturu, has been immediately suspended.
“A thorough investigation into incidents in other Local Government Areas is underway, with outcomes and next steps expected to be announced within the next 24 hours.
” The Commission is diligently following the audit trail of personnel and materials, aiming to identify those complicit in undermining the electoral process.
“All officials at various levels, from supervisors to polling unit staff, will face appropriate sanctions where necessary.
“Despite these challenges, INEC assures voters in Kogi State that their votes remain protected, and their democratic rights will be upheld.”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
