By Chris Nomjov
House of Assembly elections in Ebonyi State, have been declared inconclusive by the state Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Lawrence Azubuike disclosed this in Abakaliki, the state capital. Azubuike said 5 of the 24 state constituencies were inconclusive due to cancellations and non-conduct of elections in some areas in the affected constituencies.
Among the constituencies affected are Abakaliki South, Ezza North East and Ezza North West, Ohaukwu North and Ohaukwu South.
Azubuike also explained that the number of registered voters in the affected constituncies after the cancellation of results exceeded the difference between the two leading candidates in the contest.
“The number of registered voters in the affected areas exceeds the difference between the two leading candidates in the election, and therefore none could be returned.”
Azubuike added that the decision to declare the polls inconclusive was part of INEC’s effort to ensure the people have the mandate to choose their leaders.
“The election will be re-conducted not in the whole constituency but in the affected polling units and the number will be added to announce the winner.”
On the result of the other 19 constituencies, Azubuike said that the Peoples Democratic Party won in 17 constituencies; the Peoples Progressives Alliance won Afikpo North East, while the Labour Party clinched in Izzi East constituency.
INEC is yet fix a new date for the election in the five constituencies.
