Tribunal may order rerun in election of Dino Melaye

In from Olumide Olaoluwa …

The Department of State Services (DSS) has revealed that electoral materials relating to the case before the Electoral Tribunal in the Kogi State to determine the winner of the senatorial election for Kogi West, were tampered with.

It said the act was carried out by yet- to- be identified individuals.

This was contained in a preliminary report dated July 6, 2015 issued by the DSS on investigation into complaint by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that some materials used for the election had been tampered with.

The senatorial seat is presently occupied by Dino Melaye the Senate’s spokesperson. Many believe the current scenario might warrant a re-run election into the seat.

Kogi State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hussaini Halilu Pai had, on June 20 this year, reported to DSS that some “sensitive electoral documents” used for the last election have been tampered with.

But the electoral body confirmed that Melaye was properly nominated as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the last National Assembly election in Kogi West Senatorial District.

Read also: You can’t blackmail me – Tinubu tells Melaye

DSS stated in its report signed by I. Mustapha (Principal Staff Officer, Investigation) said: “It was reported that in the quest to make available these electoral materials for tribunal proceedings in the court, multiple thumb printing were discovered on the used ballot papers among other anomalies.”

The report added that in the course of investigation, several “staff from INEC both from Kogi Local Government Area and the State headquarters, who were believed to, in one way or the other, play a role in the movement and taking custody of the INEC materials were invited to the command headquarters for questioning.”

The report further stated that its findings, from the written statements of INEC staff interrogated, revealed that “some categories of INEC staff were, by their action or inaction, culpable for the anomalies in the said matter.

“It is observed that the matter under investigation may not be unconnected to the above categories of INEC staff, who handled the materials at one point or the other,” the DSS said.

The investigation team, who said it was yet to unveil the identity of those involved in the crime, said investigation was stalled by their inability to screen the materials, currently being used at tribunals.

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