Delta State Lawmaker Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo Sacked by Tribunal

In a recent judgment, the State Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Delta State has overturned the victory of Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, the lawmaker representing Burutu Constituency 1 in the Delta State House of Assembly. The decision to annul the election results stems from the discovery of over-voting in certain units during the March 18 poll.

The tribunal held that there were instances of over-voting in Ward 4 and 11, prompting them to order a rerun in three units in Ward 4 and one unit in Ward 11 of the constituency. This means that a fresh election will be conducted in these specific locations within 90 days as part of the mandated process.

With the annulment, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been instructed to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo. The certificate, previously awarded to him as the winner of the election, will now be revoked in light of the court's decision.

The affected election in Burutu Constituency 1 was a closely contested one between Alapala of the All Progressives Congress and Asupa Forteta of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Independent National Electoral Commission had initially declared Alapala as the winner of the election.

The annulment by the tribunal will undoubtedly bring about a new level of uncertainty in the political landscape of Delta State. Both political parties will now have to engage in new campaigns and mobilization efforts to convince voters once again in the rerun election.

The decision of the tribunal serves as a reminder of the importance of free and fair electoral processes. Over-voting, which was identified as a significant issue in this case, undermines the principles of democracy and dilutes the people's voice.

As the Delta State House of Assembly prepares for the rerun election, all eyes will be on Burutu Constituency 1. The candidates will need to outline their plans, persuade the electorate, and address any concerns raised during the previous election.

This development highlights the need for INEC to ensure that electoral processes are transparent and the will of the people is accurately reflected. The rerun election will be a crucial test for the electoral body's ability to conduct a fair and credible process.

In conclusion, the annulment of Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo's victory in Burutu Constituency 1 by the State Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal signals a fresh start for the people of the constituency. The rerun election will provide an opportunity for constituents to make a new choice and exercise their right to vote in a transparent and accountable manner.

Source of content: OOO News 2023-09-13 News

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