***Promises Kogi voters of adequate protection of their votes
Elections have been suspended in nine wards of Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has indicated
National Commissioner and Member, Voter Education and Information Committee, INEC, Kogi, Muhammad Kudu Haruna, made this known in a statement on Saturday
According to the statement, the Commission received reports from its officials in Kogi State on incidences of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting.
Reports indicated 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.
“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.
The commission assures that as the processes continues, it will 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.
The Commission assures voters in Kogi State that their votes are protected, and their wishes will be respected.