Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Enugu State was free and fair.
This was even as the opposition party and petitioner, Labour Party (LP) has formally closed its case at the tribunal.
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INEC gave the clarification while being cross-examined at the tribunal.
The state resident electoral commissioner, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, who was represented by the public relations officer, Victor Ezeokafor, was in court following the subpoena served the commission to produce BIVAS machines used during the election in some isolated areas.
He said the commission gave certified true copies of electoral documents requested by Labour Party, adding that those that were not released were those they did not pay for.
The electoral body also brought some BIVAS machines in line with the order of the court which requested it to do so.
Ezeokafor also disclosed that it was possible that accreditation was carried out on the day of election in some areas without network.
He told the tribunal that the boxes he tendered before it contained five BIVAS machines and accessories.
The INEC spokesman in Enugu noted that the electoral body was familiar with the governorship election and restated that the election was free and fair.
He insisted that INEC provided all the BIVAS machines mentioned in the court order, adding that the electoral body responds only to codes and not name.
Speaking with journalists at the end of the sitting, counsel to Dr Peter Mbah and 2nd respondent, Alex Iziyon (SAN) said, “Well what happened in court today is that the court brought in their remaining witnesses and also asked INEC to bring some BIVAS machines which were brought, tendered.
“We also asked questions on behalf of the resident electoral commissioner what transpired during the election and he confirmed that everything went well peacefully and things were in order.
“The only five BIVAS which were indicated were brought, but they were over 4,000 BIVAS machines in polling units in Enugu State and that was it and Labour Party closed their case,” he stated.
When asked about the position of the subpoena on Owo and Ugbawka in Nkanu East local government area, he said the petitioner only asked for one polling unit which was brought to the court.
Also speaking with newsmen, one of the lawyers to Labour Party, Barrister Ifeanyi Ogenyi said they have successfully closed their case.
“So far, we believe that we have done what the law required of us. We have proved our case as required by law. We are now looking forward to see what the respondent will bring onboard as a defence,” he said.
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