Assembly Poll: INEC Fixes April 15 for Supplementary Elections in Ekiti

By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has fixed April 15 for supplementary elections in Ido/Osi State Constituency 1 in Ekiti State.

The Ekiti State House of Assembly election of the Ido/Osi State Constituency 1 was declared inconclusive by INEC due to violence that erupted during the election process on March 18.

The supplementary elections, in a statement by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Abayomi Salami and signed in Ado-Ekiti by Head, Voter Education and Publicity, Akanmu Temitope, will hold in three polling units.

According to the statement, the supplementary election is necessary in order to complete the process which was inconclusive on 18th March 2023 due to violent disruption.

The statement read: “This is to inform the general public in Ekiti state that the Commission has scheduled Saturday, 15th April, 2023 to conduct a supplementary election in the three (3) Polling Units of Ido 1 ward of Ido/Osi Local Government Area.

“This is because of the inconclusive election of Ido Osi State Constituency 1 precipitated by the margin of lead principle which indicated a need for supplementary elections to be held in three polling units before a clear winner could emerge. This was borne out of violent disruption of the voting process in three polling units of PU 003, PU 012 and PU 014 all in Registration Area (Ward) 01.

“The supplementary election is necessary in order to complete the process which was inconclusive as at Saturday 18th of March 2023, because of violent disruption which culminated into cancellations of 3 Polling Units that affected the final result and final declaration.

“The affected polling units are PU 003 (AUD Pry School), PU 012 (Oke/Odo Iyedi Near Olumoja’s House) and PU 014 (Hospital Road Near Dekunlola’s House) all in RA (ward) Ido 1.

“The independent National Electoral commission (INEC) in Ekiti State hereby uses this medium to urge voters in the affected polling units to come out in large numbers with their PVC to cast their vote as all needed election materials for the election have been received, while necessary security arrangements have been put in place to safe guide the process.

“Voters in the affected polling Units are advised to shun any act that could truncate the process, as voting shall commence by 8:30 a.m and end by 2:30 PM at the affected polling units.”