Anambra election: Jega admits election official compromised poll

by Premium Times



INEC chairman Attahiru Jega said he was confident an official messed up the election.
Police has confirmed the arrest of the Electoral Officer accused of deliberately compromising Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra state.
In an interview Sunday, Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said he was convinced the official purposely hijacked the election in some local governments, leading to a reschedule.
“The Electoral Officer in charge of Idemili North for some inexplicable reason messed up the distribution of electoral materials,” Mr. Jega said in an interview with AIT television.
He said the official held some results sheets and in turn distributed false result sheets.
“We believe strongly that there was connivance between the EO and unknown agents to subvert the electoral process,” Mr. Jega said.
He said the Electoral Officer and supervisor in charge of Idemili North had been handed over to the police.
“We are serious about this matter and whoever is responsible will be apprehended and handed over for prosecution.”
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Bala Nasarawa, on Sunday confirmed the arrest of the official.
Mr. Nasarawa was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Awka as saying that the state police command was interrogating the official but declined to mention the presumed offence.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that we arrested one official, but I don’t know if that is the one you are talking about. Yes, we arrested one official,’’ he said.
The election could not take place in 65 polling units in Obosi, following the late arrival of INEC officials and the materials for the exercise.
Voters waited till 4 p.m. when the officials arrived, eight hours behind schedule, prompting the elders of the area to call for the rescheduling of the election.
INEC rescheduled the election in the area for Sunday, prompting at least two parties – APC and PDP – to call for a boycott. (NAN)