The Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC, says fresh polls will be conducted in 59 polling units in the Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of the state.
According to the electoral umpire, the fresh election will be held next Saturday, November 18, 2023.
INEC National Commissioner, MOHAMMED HARUNA announced this in a statement on Sunday night.
Already, election results from 18 of the 21 local government areas in Kogi State have been collated as of Sunday evening.
So far, results from Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Idah, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Kogi, Mopa-Muro, Olamaboro, Ofu, Okehi, Omala, Ogori/Magongo, Okene, Yagba East and Yagba West LGAs have been announced.
Results of Ibaji, Igalamela-Odolu, and Lokoja LGAs are being awaited by the State Returning Officer, Professor JOHNSON URAMA, who is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), MURTALA AJAKA, as well as his All Progressives Congress, APC, counterpart, USMAN ODODO are in a tight race so far .
Aside from AJAKA and ODODO, who is an ex-Auditor General of Local Government in Kogi under Governor YAHAYA BELLO , other strong contenders in the race include LEKE ABEJIDE of the African Democratic Party, ADC, and DINO MELAYE of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
MELAYE had on Saturday, raised the alarm over filled result sheets in the Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of the North Central state.
The PDP candidate also called for the suspension of the exercise over violence and vote buying.
INEC subsequently suspended election in nine wards in the local government area.
In its statement on Sunday, INEC said it received an update from Kogi regarding the suspension of election in some locations in the state where result sheets were completed before the commencement of voting.
INEC said its decision to hold fresh elections is subject to the returning officer’s determination of the application of the Margin of Lead Principle.
The Commission assured Kogi voters that their votes will continue to count.