The Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to recount the votes cast in the April 14, 2007 governorship election in 12 local government areas of the state.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Mr. Olabanji Orilonishe, gave the order following an application made by the counsel to the Action Congress, Mr. Niyi Akintola (SAN).
The affected local governments are Uhunmwode, Esan West, Etsako West, Ovia South West, Owan East, Igueben, Esan Central, Ovia North East, Esan North East, Orhionmwon, Esan South East and Owan West Local Government Areas.
Akintola made the application following the inability of the INEC�s Director of Operations, Mr. Kayode Olawale, to give full figures of the ballot papers brought to the tribunal in more than 20 Ghana-must-go bags.
The tribunal fixed Saturday and Sunday for the recount of the ballots.
Olawale was only able to produce rejected and voided ballot papers used in the election in six local government areas.
The tribunal had also ordered the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Josiah Uwazuronye, and Mr. Fred Orbih to leave the front row reserved for SANs following an observation by Akintola.
Meanwhile, reporters covering the tribunal sitting staged a walkout after the tribunal chairman ordered the correspondent of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Mr. Adewunmi Faniran, to leave the courtroom.
The quit order was given after counsel to the People Democratic Party�s candidate, Mr. Iredia Osifo, requested the tribunal chairman to ask Faniran to vacate his seat for the technician working on the public address system in the courtroom.
Not happy with the manner the reporter who was occupying the space reserved for journalists was asked to leave his seat, his colleagues joined him in protest.
Nov232007