The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken the unprecedented step of suspending elections in nine wards of Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area, citing concerns of electoral malpractices, including the completion of result sheets before voting commenced.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Member of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, confirmed this suspension in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to the statement, INEC deemed the reported cases of electoral malpractices, especially the premature completion of result sheets, as “entirely unacceptable.” The statement emphasized that any election results not originating from INEC’s official polling unit processes would not be accepted.
“The Commission is determined not to reward bad behavior. Consequently, the election in the nine wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA, namely Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben, and Oturu, is at this moment suspended,” the INEC statement read.
INEC also assured the public that investigations into similar incidences in other local government areas were underway, and the outcomes and the way forward would be announced within the next 24 hours.
In response to the reported electoral malpractices, INEC has vowed to thoroughly investigate and identify those individuals who may have played a role in undermining the electoral process.
The commission highlighted its ability to track all officials deployed at various levels, such as supervisors, monitors, technical staff, and polling unit officials, along with a detailed record of election materials issued to them. INEC further assured that appropriate sanctions would be applied where necessary.
The statement concluded with a reassuring message to the voters in Kogi State, affirming that their votes are protected and their democratic wishes will be respected.