The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched an investigation into reported incidents of pre-filled election result sheets in Ogori/Magongo, Eika/Ohizenyi, and other areas of Kogi State.
The concerns were raised by civil society organization YIAGA Africa on social media, prompting calls for INEC to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
In response to the allegations, INEC stated that its senior officials deployed to Kogi State are currently investigating the matter. The Commission emphasized that it views the situation seriously and is committed to addressing the issue promptly. A decision on the matter will be communicated by INEC in due course.
The total number of registered voters in Kogi State is 1,932,654, with 1,833,160 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected. The youth demographic constitutes 44% (850k), while the middle-aged make up 32% (341k). The November 11, 2023 poll in Kogi features eighteen candidates, including notable contenders such as Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a former Auditor General of Local Government in Kogi under Governor Yahaya Bello.
