By Adadareporters
The State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Enugu has nullified the election of Okey Mba, member representing Nkanu East state constituency, citing over-voting.
This followed the petition filed by the Labour Party candidate in the March 18 poll, Surv Okwudiri Nnaji. Mba is of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The tribunal held that the process of Mba’s election did not meet the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act. The three-man panel, led by Honourable Justice Adie Attoe Onyebueke, ordered a rerun in some polling units in Ugbawka and Owo wards.
The tribunal, relying on BVAS reports, Form E8As and voters register tendered by the petitioners, held that the petitioners proved over-voting at Owo, Ugbawka 1, Akpofu/Amagunze and Ihuokpara wards as required by law.
It also held that the first respondent (INEC) failed to call any witness or tender any document or result to counter the evidence of the petitioners.
According to the tribunal, the number of votes is higher than the number of registered and accredited voters in those areas. It henceforth directed INEC to conduct a rerun election in the affected polling units within 90 days.
