Press Release/
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the governorship elections in nine wards in Ogori/Magongo local government area of Kogi State.
The commission made this known in a statement this evening by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, a National Commissioner and member of its Information and Voter Education Committee.
The commission said the decision was taken following reports of result sheets being prefilled.
It listed other local government areas where cases of electoral malpractice were reported as Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi and Okene.
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dino Melaye, had earlier demanded the cancellation of the elections in the five local government areas listed by INEC.
Melaye, who failed to show up at his polling unit situated at Iluafon quarters, Aiyetoro 1, Ijumu local government area, alleged that the results from the areas were compromised.
Posting via his official X account, Melaye said, “INEC must cancel the election in the 5 local governments of Kogi-Central. The election in Okene, Okehi, Ajaoukuta, Adavi, and Ogori/Mangogo is a scam coordinated from the highest level of INEC.”
The statement by INEC reads, “The Commission has received reports from our officials in Kogi State on incidences of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting.
“Reports indicate 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.
“Meanwhile, as the processes continue, we 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.”
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