CONCERNS have been raised by civil society organization YIAGA Africa regarding reports of pre-filled results sheets in Ogori/Magongo, Eika/Ohizenyi, and other North Central parts of Kogi State, with voting in the state’s November 11, 2023, governorship election just getting started.
YIAGA Africa urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the matter and “promptly safeguard the integrity of the process” in a post on X (previously known as Twitter).
According to the source, the results sheets were completed prior to the commencement of voting today.
Similarly, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Dino Melaye has raised the alarm about the event in Ogori/Magongo, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to sabotage the elections.
In a swift reaction, INEC, also in a post on X, said the matter is being invesgigated.
“Our attention has been drawn to a report that filled result sheets were discovered in some polling units in Kogi State,” the commission said.
“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.”
In Kogi state, the overall number of registered voters is 1,932,654, and the total number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) acquired is 1,833,160, with youths accounting for 44% (850k) and the middle-aged accounting for 32% (341K).
There are eighteen candidates in total competing, with Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), an ex-Auditor General of Local Government in Kogi under Governor Yahaya Bello, being among the top contenders in the November 11, 2023 election in Kogi.
