The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC plans to conduct fresh re-run elections in 18 Plateau State polling units, as announced by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Oliver Agundu.
INEC Official
Agundu disclosed that the decision resulted from complaints of ballot paper shortages in some polling units during the Saturday re-run, prompting an investigation by the commission.
The REC stated, “In respect of the reports that were coming in from some poling units that there were shortages of ballot papers in respect of the Federal House of Representatives seat, we did a holistic appraisal of the situation, and we have received a comprehensive report on all the poling units, and they summed up to 18 of them in total.
To address the issues, the commission summoned a meeting with party stakeholders at the INEC headquarters, aiming to brief them on the situation and discuss the next plan of action. Agundu mentioned, “We will see the possibility of also giving them the opportunity to also cast their votes tomorrow (Sunday), but we will make a final position on that when we meet by 8 pm. That is the situation, and we want the public to know that we take their concerns seriously. We are also doing a very thorough investigation on what has happened on these polling units,” the REC added.
Reports on Saturday indicated that some INEC officials were held hostage by angry voters who wanted to cast their ballot but could not due to a shortage of ballot papers.
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