Ballot Papers Allegedly Stolen In Ede North As Suspects Arrested At INEC Office
By Our Reporter
An alleged incident involving the theft of ballot papers has been reported at Owode, Alusekere, in Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State, during the ongoing governorship election.
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), through its election observer, reported the development at about 7:51pm on Saturday.
According to the preliminary report, persons allegedly connected to the incident have been apprehended and are currently being held by security personnel at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ede North.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged theft remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
It was also not immediately established whether the affected ballot papers were used or unused, the exact polling unit or polling units involved, or the number of ballot papers allegedly taken.
The development has raised concerns over the integrity of the electoral process in the affected area, particularly as voting has ended in several parts of the state and the counting and collation of results are underway.
CJID said it was working to establish the full circumstances of the incident, including the status of the ballot papers and whether the development could have any implications for the counting or collation of results.
Security personnel were said to have taken custody of the alleged suspects at the INEC office pending further clarification of the incident.
The alleged incident comes as Osun State votes to elect its next governor, with the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking another term against other major contenders, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
However, details of the alleged ballot theft remain preliminary, and the identity of the suspects, the exact nature of the alleged offence and any decision by INEC regarding the affected polling unit(s) had yet to be officially confirmed at the time of filing this report.
Further updates are expected as electoral officials and security agencies clarify what transpired at Owode, Alusekere.
