The PDP’s senatorial candidate in Abia North Senatorial District Zone, Mao Ohuabunwa, has rejected the National Assembly election results of his zone, accusing the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) of breaching the Electoral Act after it announced the results of the Saturday’s polls, which it declared inconclusive.
Ohuabunwa rejected the result of the poll and petitioned the INEC.
He said that the Commission had on Sunday rescheduled elections in about 100 polling units in Arochukwu, Obingwa, Osisioma, Aba North, Aba South, Umuahia North, Ohafia, and Arochukwu local government areas of Abia state.
“The elections were rescheduled for Sunday and later shifted to Monday in the areas where they could not take place on Saturday.
“We mobilised our people and they came out to cast their votes only for INEC to call the result when it was yet to conclude the exercise.
“This is unacceptable and we demand that the election be cancelled and fresh election conducted in the remaining polling units in the seven local government areas affected.
“I have petitioned the INEC. I do not care if somebody wins but the process has to be transparent and conclusive,” Ohuabunwa said.
The Returning Officer for Abia North, Mr Chinedu Nnamdi, had on Monday declared Senator Orji Kalu the winner of the National Assmbly election, having polled 30,805 votes; Nnamdi Iroh of the Labour Party came second with 27,540, while Ohuabunwa came third having polled 15,175 votes.
“The Commission would have disenfranchised 60,000 voters in the areas, who were prepared to exercise their franchise but for the lapses on the part of INEC including the late arrival of elections materials to various polling units, among others.
“The Electoral Act empowers INEC to review any petitions before it within seven days.
“At the end of the window period, we will weigh other options available to us, if we are not satisfied,” he added.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
