By Gift Olivia Samuel, The Sight News
Following reports from its officials in Kogi State on incidents of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended election in some locations in the State.
The National Commissioner & Member Information and Voter Education Committee Mohammed Kudu Haruna who made this known in a statement on Saturday, announced that reports indicate that the incidents occurred in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas.
He also explained that the most serious incidents occurred in Ogori/Magongo, affecting nine of 10 Registration Areas.
According to him, “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”, he said.
Consequently, he noted that 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.
Furthermore, he noted thatthe 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.
Meanwhile, he remarked that as the processes continued, the Commission followed 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”, he concluded.
