The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed a Supplementary Election in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State for Tuesday this week.
As a result, the Commission declared the election inconclusive, until the supplementary election is conducted.
Ihiala was the only Local Government Area, where Saturday’s gubernatorial polls in the State did not hold.
The Returning Officer for the election and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi, announced the decision after the collation of results of the 20 Local Government Areas, where the election took place.
Professor Obi said this was in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act before any declaration could be made.
She observed that the election in Ihiala could not hold last Saturday due to security threats.
Obi said: “we have collated results for 20 local government areas, and Ihiala is still outstanding as the commission was unable to deploy to the area. Based on the constitutional provision, the supplementary election will be held in Ihiala. So, we have to conclude the election in Ihiala to be able to conclude the process. “I plead with you to support INEC, so we can bring this election to a conclusion, to the glory of God. The election for Ihiala will hold on November 9.”
The result of Orumba North Local Government Area was collated after it was subjected to scrutiny by a conference of Collation Officers.
The Collation Officer for the Local Government, Doctor Michael Otu, had while collating the results, alleged that he signed the document under duress and that the election did not take place in polling units.
This was however, debunked by the Electoral Officer for Orumba North, Mrs Comfort Omoruyi, who claimed that the election was transparent.
Reacting to the Supplementary Election, the APGA Agent, Senator Victor Umeh described it as a welcome development to conclude the process. The APC Agent, Mr Chibuzor Obiakor also said this was the right direction.
The APGA candidate, Dr Charles Soludo, won in the 17 of the 20 local government areas announced
One local government was won by the PDP candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, while the candidate of the YPP, Ifeanyi Ubah, also won in one local government.