Kogi Election: INEC Suspends Certain Polling Units and Sets November 18 for Fresh Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the suspension of elections in multiple locations in the Kogi State election, citing the completion of result sheets before voting in affected polling units. 

In a statement released Sunday evening, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and member of the Information and Voter Education Committee, clarified the situation.

“The most critical incident occurred in nine out of 10 Wards in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area (LGA),” Haruna revealed. “We received reports of similar incidents in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, and Okene, where results from affected Polling Units have been documented in Form EC40G for the respective LGAs.”

Fresh elections are to be held at the Kogi election

Haruna highlighted the specific challenge in Ogori/Magongo LGA, stating, “In Ogori/Magongo local government area, only the result of Oshobane Ward 11 with eight Polling Units and 2,264 registered voters has been collated. Elections in the other nine Wards involving 59 Polling Units and 15,136 registered voters remain suspended.”

INEC announced that fresh elections would be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, in the affected Polling Units.

Haruna said that the decision to hold fresh elections is subject to the Returning Officer’s determination of the application of the Margin of Lead Principle. Also, the decision is without prejudice to our commitment to follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit in undermining the process and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.

Despite the challenges, INEC reassured voters in Kogi State that their votes would continue to count, and their wishes would be respected. The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC) has announced that fresh elections will be held on Saturday, November 18, in polling units where the exercise was earlier suspended in Kogi state due to electoral malpractice.

The decision to hold fresh elections was made following reports of completed result sheets before the commencement of voting in nine wards of Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area (LGA) and similar incidents in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, and Okene LGAs.

INEC National Commissioner and Member of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, emphasized that the decision to conduct fresh elections is subject to the Returning Officer’s determination to apply the Margin of Lead Principle.

“The Commission wishes to reiterate its assurances to voters in Kogi State that their votes will continue to count and their wishes respected,” Haruna stated.

INEC has also initiated investigations into the reported electoral malpractices and will apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.