Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Chapter of Labour Party (LP) had formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to review the results of the March 18, Governorship election as declared by the Returning Officer, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe.
In a letter to the INEC jointly signed by Barrister Casmir Agbo, Chairman LP and Barrister Chijioke Edeoga, Governorship candidate in the election, the party cited many irregularities that characterised the election in different parts of the state as reasons for review of the results.
According to LP, the call for a review was pursuant to “the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
The party further stated that there were several polling units where voting did not take place for various reasons coupled with irregularities including, over voting, non-usage of BVAS amongst others.
“We wish to request for a review of the declaration and return on the following reasons; that elections were not held in several polling units across the state for various reasons including destruction of electoral materials by suspected thugs and malfunctioning of the BVAS machines,” the party said.
The party claimed that the total number of registered voters in the affected areas amount to 21, 159.
“The Electoral Act 2022, and the guidelines made pursuant thereto that in situations as in this case, the election shall be declared inconclusive and no return shall be made into a runoff election is held to determine the true winner,” LP said.
The party further requested INEC to outrightly cancel the results of Nkanu East Local Government Area for non-use of BVAS in violation of the 2022 Electoral Act.
It urged the electoral body to declare the Enugu governorship election of March 18, inconclusive until all the issues raised were fully addressed.
It also contended that the slim margin of 3,334 votes between the two candidates (PDP) and (LP) and the non conduct of elections in several polling units across the state with 21, 156 voters which is substantial enough to affect the result of the election.
“We, therefore, urge INEC to withhold the issuance of Certificate of Return to any candidate until all the issues raised are duly resolved,” LP said.
