BY VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA – THE police in Anambra State have arrested one Kingsley Ezenwenyi believed to be working for a senatorial candidate in Anambra State in the April, 2011 election in connection with unlawful possession of some original sensitive election result forms belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The said Ezenwenyi, who was arrested in a hotel located on the outskirts of Awka, was said to have worked for the same candidate as a data processor during the February 6, 2010 governorship election in the state.

It was gathered that when the police invaded the hotel and searched the rooms, the suspect was caught with samples of the INEC materials and he claimed to be a consultant.

INEC public affairs officer in the state, Mr. Frank Egboh who briefed newsmen, today ,in Awka on the issue said the suspect was found in possession of original and duplicate copies of Form EC 8 A with serial No: 01008997, 60 copies of Form EC 8 ( R ) used for the publication of results of the polls and 56 copies of Form EC 8 B ( 11 ) which is the summary of results from polling stations.

Part of a report issued by the INEC resident electoral commissioner for the state, Professor Chukwuemeka Onukaogu which was made available to Vanguard said: “It was gathered that the suspect was in INEC office in Awka in the morning hours of Tuesday, 22nd March, 2011. He was found to have copied from the INEC notice board, the list of postings of the electoral officers released by the Commission’s office on Monday, 21st March, 2011.

“I have examined all the exhibits recovered from the suspect and found out that it was unlawfully procured.

The Commission has not released any format on how election result forms would look like in the forthcoming 2011 general election.

“The Commission has only published the training manual for the guidance of INEC officials and not any format as recovered in the instant case.

“Consequently, the security agencies are advised to investigate this matter with a view to unraveling the motive of the suspect and any other person (s) involved.”

Answering reporters’ questions, the INEC public affairs officer said though one could print dummy ballot papers; it is unlawful to print an original ballot paper on the pretext that one was using it to train people which was what the suspect claimed he would use them for.

According to him, the implication of what the suspect did was that with the result sheets in his possession, “he could even prepare his own results before INEC completes the voting exercise”, adding that by collecting the names of electoral officers and their postings, he had ulterior motive.

State police public relations officer, PPRO, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the arrest of the suspect, adding that investigation into the matter has commenced.