The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to halt the ongoing collation of the presidential election results until the concerns raised by political parties are addressed. The organization’s spokesperson, Dr Daniel Bwala, released a statement pointing out that the conduct of the 2023 elections has been criticized for irregularities and a total deviation from the electoral act amendment.
The statement noted that this situation has resulted in a constitutional logjam following the withdrawal of the coalition of political parties, leading to an inclusive election.
While emphasizing that elections are only concluded when votes are cast, results are announced and winners are declared, the statement said that INEC is refusing to address the observed problems and objections that have been widely expressed and shared.
The statement further noted that Section 65 of the electoral act mandates the INEC chairman to correct every anomaly(s) raised by stakeholders of the process (political party and their agents) within 7 days, but this section was largely objected to by APC lawmakers and lawyers during the amendment process before it was eventually passed into law.
The organization called for INEC to suspend the national collation immediately and address the complaints raised by parties relating to BVAS bypass and electronic transmission of results. They suggested setting a date for the conduct of elections in affected areas and ensuring that results are uploaded according to guidelines. Additionally, they called for the cancellation of all collated and announced results until all results collated at the polling units alone are uploaded to INEC’s server, with only one announced duplicate copy for transparency’s sake.
The organization also advised INEC to declare the election inconclusive and set a date for conducting elections that address areas where BVAS was not used and where violence occurred, suppressing the voting rights of the people. They further urged INEC to address the Nigerian public in a televised speech on the sanctity of the processes and the integrity of its person to regain the confidence of the Nigerian people and the international community. Finally, they noted that confidence in the process and legitimacy of the results must never be sacrificed on the altar of convenience and speed, as this election is pivotal to the national security of the country.
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