APA Wants Forensic Examination of Election Materials in Enugu South LGA -

The African Peoples Alliance (APA) has asked for an order of a tribunal for a forensic examination of electoral materials used during the Enugu South Local Government Election held on Feb. 29.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the party had alleged massive irregularities during the polls.

Consequently, the APA and its Chairmanship Candidate in Enugu South Local Government Area, Mr Chukwunonso Ogbe, approached the Local Government Council Election Tribunal of Enugu State with a petition.

Ogbe is the first petitioner/applicant while APA is the second petitioner/applicant.

Joined in the suit as respondents are the winner of the election, Mr Monday Eneh, the PDP, Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) and the Chairman of ENSIEC.

Others are the Electoral Officer, Enugu South LGA, and the Returning Officer, Enugu South LGA.

In the motion on notice supported by an eight-paragraph affidavit, APA and Ogbe prayed the tribunal to order for a forensic expert examination of the election materials.

Some of the election materials which the petitioners/applicants seek to subject to forensic check include packets of counterfoils of the counted ballot papers.

Others include marked copies of register used by voters in the Enugu South LGA chairmanship election.

The petitioners/applicants also want the tribunal to order that the outcome of the forensic inspection of the materials should be used as evidence in prosecuting the petition.

Ogbe said that he could only successfully prosecute the petition with the outcome of the forensic examination of the election materials.

“The materials are in the custody of the third, fourth and fifth respondents, and the first petitioner/applicant can only have access to inspect them if the tribunal so orders,” he said.

Ogbe, who described the local government election as the worst in the history of the state, said he had incontrovertible evidence that he won the chairmanship election in Enugu South LGA.

NAN reports that the tribunal will on June 4 hear the motion.