Posted by Martins Esin, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was confirmed as the representative for the Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
You may remember that Mr. Robinson Edumoh and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had challenged Esin’s victory in court, alleging overvoting, the failure to electronically transmit results, extensive anomalies, and a lack of compliance with the Electoral Act.
Justice Kudirat Jose, presiding over the Tribunal, ruled Friday that the petitioner had failed to support his claims.
The panel ruled that the petitioner failed to provide any evidence for his claim of overvoting.
It ruled that the petitioner had the burden of proof and could not legally attempt to shift it to the respondent.
The tribunal used relevant sections of the Electoral Act and precedent decisions in reaching its conclusion that electronic transmission of election results was not required by law.
According to the ruling, the petitioner failed to provide evidence that the results announced at the polling places differed from those announced at the Local Government collation centers.
As a result, the court threw out the petition and acknowledged Martins Esin’s election as legitimate.