The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended further collation of governorship results in two local government areas of Enugu State over allegations of irregularities.
The INEC spokesman, Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Mr. Okoye, a lawyer, said the commission has also suspended the collection of government results in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.
“It will be recalled that our office in Obingwa Local Government Area was invaded by robbers yesterday Sunday March 19, 2023 and kidnapped by our officials in connection with the collection of results in the Local Government Area,” the INEC spokesperson said.
He said the committee took the decision after examining the conduct of the March 18 governorship elections across the country.
Enugu
Mr. Okoye said two local government areas of Enugu State – Nsukka and Nkanu East – were suspended due to reports by the state’s official position, which called for a review of the governorship election in those areas.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that at the state collation center on Sunday, the agent of the Labor Party (LP), Eugene Edeoga, called for the nullification of the Nkanu East results due to non-use of BVAS in the municipal area elections.
The agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who identified himself as Uzo, called for the annulment of the Nsukka Local Government Area results due to alleged irregularities.
The party agent of the New Redemption Party also called for the annulment of the results in Enugu East Local Government Area, alleging cases of voter intimidation and suppression in the area.
Reacting to the petitions, the candidate for the election, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Iwe Umudike, Maduebibisi asked party operatives to submit a written petition to be forwarded to the INEC headquarters.
In a statement on Monday, Mr. Okoye said an immediate review of the results in the affected areas of Abia and Enugu is underway.
“Consequently, the Commission suspends the collection of results in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State and the outstanding Local Government Areas of Enugu State which are yet to be collected,” Mr. Okoye stated.
“There will be a review before the process is complete.”
He called on political parties, candidates and voters affected by the commission’s decision to show “understanding and patience”.
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