The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Supervisory Presiding Officer, SPO, Mr. Jude Ekerete has testified against a petitioner who was one of the candidates for Ukwuani Constituency in the last House of Assembly election, Mr. Chris Ochor, that he actually did not cast his vote in his ward.

Mr. Ekerete made the revelation while testifying before the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba and presided over by Mr. Justice U. Ogwurike.

Ochor (petitioner) had gone to court to challenge the election of Dr. Alphonsus Ojo (second respondent) as elected member of Delta State House of Assembly representing Ukwuani Constituency.

The SPO, under cross- examination by the first and second respondents’ counsel, Mr. Ikhide Ehighelua, told the tribunal that the voters register of Ward I Unit 4 (Umutu) where Ochor was supposed to have voted, indicated that he did not cast his vote in the governorship/House of Assembly elections.

When asked by the petitioner’s counsel, Mr. Peter Mrakpor, whether he was in all the units during accreditation exercise, Mr. Ekerete said it was not possible for him to be in all the units, adding that he visited some of the units while he received information about the conduct of the election from the presiding officers posted by INEC to man the various units.

He also said that women were not prevented from voting in the election at Ezionum as claimed by the petitioner.

The matter was adjourned by the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ogwurike to October 5, 2011 for final address by all counsel.