THE collation of results for the Kogi state governorship election held on Saturday, November 11, is to commence at 10 a.m. today, Sunday, November 12.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, Gabriel Longpet, disclosed this on Sunday morning in Lokoja.
The ICIR reported that elections were held across the 21 local government (LGAs) areas of the state on Saturday.
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Meanwhile, INEC said it had suspended governorship elections in some LGAs in the state over malpractices.
Affected LGAs include Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene.
The commission, via its X handle, on Saturday night, November 11, said it received reports from its officials in Kogi state on incidents 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,” the statement added.
The commission noted that the electoral processes in other parts of the state continue, noting that it would continue to follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who might have been complicit in undermining the process.
It further assured the electorate in the state that their votes would be protected and their wishes would be respected.
The ICIR reported how YIAGA Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dino Melaye, and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Muritala Ajaka, raised the alarm over pre-filled and forged results sheet in Ogori/Magongo.
Melaye is one of the 18 candidates cleared by INEC to vie for the governorship seat.
Other leading candidates are Muritala Ajaka (SDP), Ododo Usman Ahmed (APC), and Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The election in Kogi is one of the three off-cycle governorship polls held on Saturday, November 11.
Other states with a similar exercise are Imo and Bayelsa.
A reporter with the ICIR
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