Tribunal orders fresh elections in 5 polling units in Benue

The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, yesterday, ordered a fresh election in five polling units of Gboko West State Constituency in order to determine winner of the polls. Daily Trust reports that APC’s Terhemba Chabo had dragged his PDP opponent, Terna Achir, to the tribunal after the latter was declared winner of […]

The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, yesterday, ordered a fresh election in five polling units of Gboko West State Constituency in order to determine winner of the polls.

Daily Trust reports that APC’s Terhemba Chabo had dragged his PDP opponent, Terna Achir, to the tribunal after the latter was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Chabo had challenged the election of Achir on account that the margin of win was less than the number of votes cancelled.

Ruling, the tribunal headed by Justice A.A. Adeleye, however, held that PDP’s Achir did not win the election with majority of lawful votes cast and consequently ordered for fresh election in five polling units of the state constituency within 30 days from the day of judgment.

“In the final analysis, it is hereby declared that the 2nd respondent (Achir) was not elected by majority of lawful votes cast. INEC is hereby ordered to announce a new date for fresh election in the five polling units within 30 days from the date of this judgment,” Adeleye ruled.

Our correspondent recalled that INEC had earlier declared Achir winner with 7,880 votes while Chabo polled 7,570, putting the margin of win at 313.

But, the tribunal found that 1,921 voters were disenfranchised.