The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has threatened to review results of elections in areas characterised by proven irregularities ranging from voter inducement, harassment and manipulations of results.
The Commission regretted that though it left no stone unturned in processes and procedures under its control, but there were disruptions especially where processes were disrupted by actors over whom it had little or no control.
The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said this while giving updates on the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on Sunday.
According to him, “We are committed to the sanctity of the process and will not hesitate to take drastic measures against proven irregularities. Allegations of voter inducement, harassment and manipulation of results will be reviewed and addressed.”
He said, “Such diabolical behaviour did not only affect citizens but also impacted on the Commission’s officials and processes. INEC staff, both regular and ad hoc were victims of violence.
“Some of our staff were abducted, harassed, intimidated, hospitalized and in one case killed. Nevertheless, where we could not deploy to enable citizens to vote, the Commission took the decision to remobilize to such places to enable citizens to exercise their franchise.
“Unfortunately, we could not extend the same to areas where voting was disrupted, and election materials destroyed. We are keeping our eyes on those areas and would not hesitate to remobilize where the outcome of the election is affected.”
He cited the invasion of the Commission’s Obingwa Local Government Area office in Abia State by thugs during the collation of results for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
He explained that in contention was the collated result from the Registration Areas for the Governorship election in that Local Government Area, adding that the intention was to force the collation of these contentious results.
According to Okoye, “The behaviour of these thugs is unacceptable and there will be a thorough review of the results. The Commission does not take the patience of citizens for granted and will continue to take steps to protect the integrity of the vote and consolidate the progress made so far in the electoral process.”
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