Kogi election: INEC to conduct fresh polls in 59 polling units, gives reasons
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that fresh elections will be conducted in 59 polling units in the Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State.
This was announced in a statement on Sunday night by the INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna
The electoral umpire explained that the fresh election will be held next Saturday, November 18, 2023.
INEC expressed worries over the suspension of elections in some locations in the state where result sheets were completed before the commencement of voting.
“The most critical incident occurred in nine out of 10 wards in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area (LGA). Elections in the other nine wards (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben, and Oturu) involving 59 polling units and 15,136 registered voters remain suspended,” part of the statement reads.
The commission took the decision to conduct fresh polls “in line with Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 59 of INEC Regulations and Guidelines on the Conduct of Elections 2022, a fresh election will be held on Saturday, 18th November 2023 in the affected polling units.”
Recall that the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Dino Melaye Melaye had called for the suspension of the election over violence and vote-buying.
INEC subsequently suspended elections in nine wards in the local government area.
So far, reports say the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Murtala Ajaka, and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Usman Ododo, are leading the race ahead of Senator Melaye.
