The National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akwa Ibom State on Friday ordered the inspection of ballot papers used in declaring Governor Godswill Akpabio as Senator-elect.
Governor Akpabio who has had two terms as Governor of Akwa Ibom State was declared the Senator-elect for Akwa Ibom North- West District in the National Assembly elections held on 28th March.
The Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Inibehe Okorie who vied for the same seat as Akpabio petitioned the Tribunal asking for Akpabio's election to be nullified citing irregularities and malpractices.
Ruling on the petition brought by Chief Okorie, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji, directed that the polling documents in the election be examined by the petitioner.
Justice Oyebanji explained that the order was in line with provisions of Section 151(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 which allows for inspection of polling documents if the Tribunal is satisfied that it could help maintain or defend an election petition.
The Chairman directed that the inspection be conducted within 10 days from May 8 in the presence of the respondent or his agents and security agents.
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