The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the collation of the March 18 governorship election results in Abia and Enugu states.
Festus Okoye, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee said this in a statement on Monday.
“The Commission met today, Monday 20th March 2023 and reviewed the conduct of 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 parts of Abia and Enugu states.
“It will be recalled that our office in Obingwa Local Area was invaded by thugs yesterday Sunday 19th March 2023 and our officials held hostage in relation to the collation of results from the Local Government area. Similarly, reports from Enugu state call for a review of the results of the Governorship election from the two outstanding Local Government Areas Nsukka and Nkanu East.
“Consequently, the Commission hereby suspends the collation of results from Obingwa Local Area of Abia state and the two outstanding Local Government Areas in Enugu state which are yet to be collated. A review will be undertaken immediately before the process is completed.
“We appeal for the understanding and patience of voters, parties and candidates in the affected States”, the statement reads.