The Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal in Lokoja has issued a decisive order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to grant access to vital election materials related to the state’s gubernatorial election.
This ruling stems from a petition filed by Muritala Yakubu Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), represented by legal counsel S.E. Aruwa SAN, who sought access to essential documents for their case.
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The petition highlighted challenges faced by the SDP’s legal team in obtaining 42 crucial items used during the 11th gubernatorial election from INEC offices in Abuja and Lokoja.
Presiding Tribunal Judge Justice Yusuf Ado Birnin-Kudu deemed the application meritorious, aligning it with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Law of 2023.
Consequently, the tribunal granted an order mandating INEC to provide certified copies of the election materials within two days.
Additionally, the tribunal acceded to a request by John Adele SAN, representing Muritala Ajaka, directing INEC to grant access to the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other relevant electronic materials used during the election, also within 48 hours.
