Rivers:Only 3 per cent of 57,000 votes visible – Tribunal told

A forensic expert, Professor Patrick Ikpibi of Delta State University, Tuesday, at the National Assembly/Cross River State Elections Petitions Tribunal, revealed that only 3 per cent of the 57,000 votes cast at four local government areas in the state could be verified.

While under cross examination, Ikpibi said he analysed 57,000 votes in Biase, Odukpani, Akpabuyo and Akamkpa local government areas cast during the 2015 senatorial election in the Southern Senatorial District of the state, pointing out that only three percent of the thumbprints were visible because most of the ballot papers were stained.

The tribunal said that the finding by the forensic expert nullified the claim made by one Dr Oka, hired by the Labour Party, who stated that votes analysed by him had the same thumbprints.