INEC has announced suspension of further collation of results in Abia and Enugu States
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced suspension of further collation of results in Abia and Enugu States
The announcement was contained in statement issued by the electoral body on Monday.
INEC stated that the skirmishes recorded at Obingwa LGA of Abia and two local government areas of Enugu State nformed the postponement
INEC had on Sunday, released a statement in which it raised alarm on the attack on its office in Obingwa Abia State by thugs during the collation of results for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
In Enugu, supporters of Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on Monday staged protests in front of the INEC office, for and against the admission of results from Nkanu East Local Government Area.
No time was given when the collation will reconvene.
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INEC’s statement announcing suspension of collation of results in the two states reads:
“The Commission met today, Monday 20th March 2023 and reviewed the conduct of the Governorship and State Assembly elections held nationwide on Saturday 18th March 2023. Arising from the meeting, the Commission took the decision to suspend forthwith further collation of the Governorship election results in some parts of Abia and Enugu States.
“It will be recalled that our office in Obingwa Local Government Area was invaded by thugs yesterday Sunday 19th March 2023 and our officials held hostage in relation to the collation of results from the Local Government Area. Similarly, reports from Enugu State call for a review of the results for the Governorship election from the two outstanding Local Government Areas of Nsukka and Nkanu East.
“Consequently, the Commission hereby suspends the collation of results in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State and the two outstanding Local Government Areas of Enugu State which are yet to be collated. A review will be undertaken immediately before the process is concluded.
“We appeal for the understanding and patience of voters, parties and candidates in the affected States”.
The release was signed by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee