A civil society organisation, YIAGA Africa has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the total number of permanent voter cards (PVC) collected in Ihiala LGA in Anambra state.
Recall that the electoral commission had suspended the collation of results after Ahmadu Umar, the collation officer for Ihiala LGA, reported that there was no election in the area.
In a preliminary report issued on Monday and signed by Samson Itodo and Ezenwa Nwagwu, YIAGA executive director, and board member respectively, the election observer said INEC should also inform the public about the status of uncollected PVCs.
“It is important to remember that the Anambra gubernatorial election is not yet over and that this report reflects Yiaga Africa’s preliminary findings on the conduct of accreditation and voting, counting and results announced in the polling units where elections held,” the report reads.
“Yiaga Africa calls on the people of Anambra to be peaceful and reject any calls for violence as INEC prepares to conduct a supplementary election in Ihiala on Tuesday, November 9.
“Yiaga Africa will provide independent verification of the results immediately after INEC announces the outcome of the 2021 Anambra gubernatorial election. If the announced results reflect the ballots cast at polling units then we will confirm the outcome.
“However, if the announced results have been manipulated and do not match the results posted at polling units then Yiaga Africa will expose it. Yiaga Africa will also issue a comprehensive report after the election has concluded that contains our final findings and recommendations.
“Yiaga Africa, through the WTV initiative, is committed to promoting more credible elections by providing independent information on the conduct of elections and independently verifying the accuracy of election results.
“To enhance the transparency of the supplementary election, INEC should publish the total number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) collected in Ihiala LGA and inform the public on the status of uncollected PVCs.
“INEC should undertake an audit of the BVAS and ensure all the technological glitches with the device are resolved ahead of the supplementary elections to prevent delays and possible disenfranchisement of voters.
“Sanction all its staff accused of complicity and conspiracy with political actors and security agents to falsify election, especially Mrs. Comfort Omorogie, Electoral Officer for Orumba north involved in compelling the Returning Officer for the LGA to declare false results under duress.
“INEC should terminate its contractual relationship with road transport unions, especially those notorious for breach of contractual obligations. In addition to termination, INEC should seek legal remedies against transporters who are liable for breach of contract.”
The CSO asked the national assembly to “without further delay” conclude the amendment to the electoral bill and transmit it to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.
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