Abuja: By Segun AJAYI
Published, Sunday, November 12, 2023
The INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION has suspended voting in five local government areas of Kogi State, following the reports from its officials in the State on incidences of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting.
The Commission stated this in a statement released at Saturday midnight in Abuja and made available to thedispatch.
According to Mohammed Kudu Haruna,
INEC National Commissioner and member, Information and Voter Education Committee who signed the statement, voting was suspended in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas where the incidens occurred.
"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," Muhammad Kudu Haruna stated.
The ONEC National Commissioner said the Commission as the processes continue, was following the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who might have been complicit in undermining the process, adding that the Commission has 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 and appropriate sanctions would l be applied where necessary.
The Commission assures voters in Kogi State that their votes are protected, and their wishes would be respected.
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