11th November, 2023
INEC has spoken out after the discovery of election results from a polling unit in Kogi State already being circulated even before the conclusion of voting.
A civil society organisation, YIAGA Africa, was first to break the news of alleged electoral fraud.
The results were said to have emanated from Polling Unit 004, Eni Ward of Ogori/Mangogo area of the state.
Yiaga Africa, however, called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the results.
“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,” the post read.
In the alleged results, a copy of which was attached to the post, the APC polled 200 votes; AA scored 1; while ADC, PDP and SDP got 2 votes each.
At about 9.45am, the organization posted another pre-recorded result sheet from PU 020, Eika/Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of the state.
“Another case of pre-filled results sheet in PU 020, Eika/Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi state,” it wrote.
According to the results, APC got 530 votes; while AA and SDP polled 1 each.
Responding to the report of electoral fraud, INEC confirmed that senior officers have been deployed to Kogi State to investigate the matter.
The statement from INEC reads: “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.”