The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has halted the collation of governorship and the house of assembly election results in Abia and Enugu states.
According to the electoral umpire which, on Monday, issued a statement to that effect, the collation was suspended because of observed irregularities in the process of result declaration.
“The commission met today, Monday 20th March 2023 and reviewed the conducted 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 part parts of Abia and Enugu States,” the statement read in part.
“It will be recalled that our offices in Obingwa Local Government Area were invaded by thugs yesterday, Sunday 19th March 2023 and our officials held hostage in relation to the collation of result from the Local Government Area. Similarly, reports from Enugu State call for a review of the result for the Governorship election from the two outstanding local governments of Nsukka and Nkanu East.
“Consequently, the Commission hereby suspends the collation of results in Obingwa LGAs of Abia State and two outstanding local governments of Enugu.
“A review will be undertaken immediately before the process is concluded.”