Police. party agents clash in Imo, Protest in Kogi over pre-filled election result sheets

Police. party agents clash in Imo, Protest in Kogi over pre-filled election result sheets

Pre-filled election result sheet in Kogi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its “senior officials” are currently investigating the incident(s) of pre-filled election result sheets in Ogori/Magongo, Eika/Ohizenyi and some other areas of Kogi State which has resulted in protests by some party agents and faithful.

In all the pre-filled election results sheets traced to INEC officials, the APC was awarded very huge votes dwarfing by far the total votes amassed by the other parties.

In Imo, at about 10.45am, there was reported clash between the police and party agents in Amaimo, Ikeduru local government area over what an observer described as misunderstanding between the security personnel and the party agents who accused the police of bias in favour of a particular political party

In the Kogi incident, civil society organisation, YIAGA Africa, had on Saturday morning, in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), raised the alarm that results sheets were filled in Kogi before the commencement of voting.

YIAGA posted: “Dear @inecnigeria we received report of pre-filled results sheet discovered in PU 004, Eni Ward of Ogori/magongo in Kogi state before commencement of voting. Kindly investigate and address this issue promptly to safeguard the integrity of the process. #KogiDecides2023 pic.twitter.com/OXg7fx2QpR.”

Based on this, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dino Melaye, added his voice on the incident, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to compromise the election.

But in its reaction, INEC said its officials are looking into the matter and a decision will be communicated “earnestly”.

“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,” INEC said.