The Independent National Electoral Commission is contemplating declaring the governorship election in Kogi State inconclusive and conducting a re-run in affected polling units on Saturday, November 18, 2023.

This decision comes after the suspension of the November 11 election in certain locations where result sheets were pre-recorded before voting began.

Mohammed Kudu Haruna, a National Commissioner and member of the Information and Voter Education Committee, issued a statement on Sunday, providing details of the irregularities and the potential re-run.

He highlighted that the most significant incident occurred in nine out of 10 wards in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area (LGA).

“We received reports of similar and other incidents in Adavi (5 Polling Units in Okunchi/Ozuri/Onieka Ward), Ajaokuta (5 Polling Units in Adogo Ward), Okehi (1 Polling Unit in Eika/Ohizenyi Ward), and Okene (5 Polling Units in Obehira Uvete Ward). Results from the affected Polling Units have been accounted for in Form EC40G for the four LGAs,” Haruna explained.

He further detailed that in Ogori/Magongo LGA, only the result of Oshobane Ward II with eight Polling Units and 2,264 registered voters had been collated.

However, the election in the other nine wards, involving 59 Polling Units and 15,136 registered voters, remained suspended.

According to Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 59 of INEC Regulations and Guidelines on the Conduct of Elections 2022, fresh elections are scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 2023, in the affected polling units.

Haruna emphasized that this decision is subject to the Returning Officer’s determination of the application of the Margin of Lead Principle.

He assured voters in Kogi State that their votes would continue to count, and the commission would investigate any complicity in undermining the electoral process.

“The decision to hold fresh elections is without prejudice to our avowed commitment to follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit in undermining the process and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary,” Haruna stated.