In a significant development, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has taken the unprecedented step of canceling elections across 67 polling units in the Ogori-Magongo local government area of Kogi State.
This decision stems from a profound failure to conduct the electoral process in the specified area. Voters in the Ogori-Magongo Local Government of Kogi State found themselves deprived of their franchise during the ongoing governorship election, as reports surfaced indicating the absence of INEC officials and election materials at any of the affected polling units.
This occurrence has ignited concerns and raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process in the region.
Alarming reports reveal a stark absence of INEC officials and election materials in any of the polling units within the Ogori-Magongo council area.
A resident, who communicated with our reporter, disclosed that the election faced disruption in Ogori-Magongo due to allegations of overnight voting from Friday into the early hours of Saturday, the official election day.
This controversial development sparked vehement protests from impassioned residents.
Meanwhile, reports revealed that the alarm was raised by candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dino Melaye in a video claiming that result sheets were already filled in the polling units in the council which is the stronghold of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the PDP.
“This is to show agents the result sheets and that the result sheets have been written. There is a massive protest in all polling units in Ogori/Mangogo local government of Kogi State right now,” Melaye said in the video.
The result sheets have been filled and tampered with already, and people have refused to accredit, people have refused to vote and they are insisting that the plain result sheets must be returned to agents in accordance with the electoral law.
“If they refuse to show you result sheets in all polling units across the state, don’t accredit, don’t vote, protest and resist it. This is democracy. We must protect our votes, and protect the process. We must make sure that all the regulations are being observed and respected,” Melaye said.
The accusation had forced INEC to release a statement saying the Commission will investigate the allegations to ascertain its authenticity.
“Our attention has been drawn to a report that filled result sheets were discovered in some polling units in Kogi State. The Commission views this situation seriously.
“Our senior officials deployed to the State are currently investigating the incident(s). The Commission will communicate its decision earnestly,” the electoral body said.
