The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Electoral Officer for Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Fred Ogboji over the alleged missing of some ballot papers deployed to the Council Area for the ongoing rerun elections for Plateau North Senatorial district and that of Jos North/Bassa Federal constituency seats.
The rerun election in the constituency was marred mainly by voter apathy and ballot papers shortage.
In some of the polling units, some INEC officials were held hostage by angry voters who wanted to cast their ballot but could not due to a shortage of ballot papers.
The development had forced the electoral body to postpone the re-run elections in 13 polling units of Tudun Wada/Kabong Ward and three other polling units in Naraguta B Ward, all in Jos North LGA, till Sunday.
In a letter addressed to Ogboji by the INEC Head of Department, Electoral Operations, Isa Abah Idakwo on behalf of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, and obtained by our correspondent in Jos on Sunday, the commission directed the official to hand over his responsibilities to the next senior officers to enable the commission to complete the remaining part of the election.
The letter dated 4th January 2024 read in part, “You are directed to step aside from office to enable the Commission to carry out proper investigation and circumstances that lead to the missing of federal House of Representatives ballot papers in 16 polling units in your Local Government
“You are further directed to handover to Barrister Elekwa Onyemauche, the Local Government Supervisor, and the two RA Supervisors of Tudun Wada/ Kabong and Naraguta B (E O Shendam and E O Kanke Local Government Areas respectively) to coordinate and complete the remaining process. Thank you”.
