PDP, Fayose get order to inspect electoral materials

The Ekiti Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday granted an order allowing the Peoples Democratic Party and the Governor-elect, Mr Ayodele Fayose, to inspect all materials used in the June 21 governorship election in the state.

The three-man panel, chaired by Justice Muhammad Sirajo, granted the order following an exparte application by their counsel, Dolapo Kolade, which was brought pursuant to Section 151 of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended

The panel had on July 23 granted similar relief to the All Progressives Congress which is before the tribunal challenging the victory of Fayose in the governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Fayose winner of the election ahead of the incumbent governor and candidate of the APC, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

The PDP also sought an order allowing other interested party to enjoy same privilege, and an order compelling security agencies to be present at the point of inspection.

It also prayed for an order allowing the first respondent to be in possession of Certified True Copies of all electoral materials and scan same.

Kolade in the motion supported by an 11-paragraph affidavit and a written address said the application became imperative  “in view of the serious allegation made by the petitioner to the effect that the ballot papers used for the election were programmed in favour of the 1st and 2nd respondents.

“In order to defend our position , we need to inspect the materials and we need the leave of the Court to do so unless the INEC will not allow us”.

Ruling, Justice Sirajo granted the party the leave to inspect the materials and for other interested party to enjoy same.

He, however, declined an order directing the security agencies to be present during the inspection, saying “such order is not within the purview of  this tribunal since it is the duty of INEC to provide same during such exercise. So no order of tribunal is needed for this.”

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PDP, Fayose get order to inspect electoral materials