Before the latest amendments to the 2010 Electoral Act, INEC could not overturn a result declared by a returning office even when it was done under duress or illegally.
The Federal Government on Thursday suspended the election official and directed the inspector general of police to commence an immediate investigation and prosecution if found liable.
Since the illegal act of prematurely declaring the result of the election, Mr Ari has not responded to the phone calls by the commission and failed to obey the directive to present himself at the commission’s headquarters, said Mr Okoye.