*Only 4 bags of exhibits counted

By Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN – THE recounting and sorting of ballot papers used for the National Assembly elections in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Ovia Federal Constituency in Edo State, as ordered by the Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal, was, yesterday, stalled by logistics challenges.

The tribunal had, Tuesday, admitted in evidence the ballot materials contained in 13 bags which it labelled Exhibits LL1 to LL13.

It had also directed that the recounting be carried out in the presence of counsel to the petitioners and the respondents, the secretary to the tribunal, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, staff, who tendered the exhibits, and the police in view of the sensitive nature of the exercise.

However, when hearing in the petition resumed, yesterday, counsel to the petitioners, Chief Ferdinand Orbih, informed the tribunal that sorting and recounting of the ballot papers could not commence till 2pm Tuesday, because of logistics challeges.

He said as at 8pm, the team had only completed four out of the 13 wards in the local government area, adding that lack of electricity in the court premises forced the team to stop work.

Chief Orbih  applied for more time to complete the exercise. His application was not opposed by counsel to the respondents, following which the tribunal adjourned hearing in the petition till July 15.

Before the adjournment, the chairman of the panel, Justice Elechi, while appreciating the challenges involved in the exercise, noted that the exercise must be concluded on time “because the custody of the exhibits is of great concern to the tribunal and parties involved, especially INEC.”