At Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has threatened to annul the election results of the crisis-hit region during the presidential and National Assembly elections in Kogi State
Hale Longpet, the Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), sounded the warning while reacting to the crisis erupting in some Local Government Areas while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja.
There were reports of thugs disrupting some polling units in Anyigba and Dekina in Kogi East and Mopa in Kogi West as well as parts of Kogi Central, where voting materials were allegedly thrown away by the thugs.
“You know the Electoral Law says that if there is any disruption in the process, the results will be annulled, the results of certain units will be annulled.
“The problem was initially only in Kogi East and Central, but I did not know exactly where and where the state was affected until the results were brought by the electoral officers.
“We understand that due to the violence, the affected areas could not complete the elections there.
“I’m amazed that people can go to that level and disrupt something that everyone should enjoy.
“Elections are peaceful and deliberate things in which people are offered to participate freely.
“Again, if people are guaranteed that everyone will enjoy a pleasant experience, why should thugs attack entire cities or local governments, disrupting the election process?” he asked.
Mr Longpet added: “It’s sad and shocking when you see the loss of life.”
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He explained that “elections are not wars, so if you are participating in elections to provide services to your people, you do not need to participate in these destructive activities.”
According to him, those who are interested in bringing good things to their community come out to participate positively and choose or exercise franchise and they should not stop or be denied the opportunity.
He said he went out with the chief security officer in the state in a motorcade to monitor the election from Adankolo to Krusial, to Kabawa and Falele.
He said: “But in all those places, no one was angry, but people smiled and voted peacefully.”
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