AMILOADED MEDIA HUB NEWS UPDATE
A group, Civil Society for Good Governance, has condemned the conduct of the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in the country, saying it was unacceptable and should not be allowed, AMILOADED reports.
The group, at a press briefing in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Monday, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to adhere to critical provisions of the amended Electoral Act, with several reports of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) challenges, the delay in upholding the election results and other hitches.
It said the just concluded elections were not free and fair, adding that the delay in uploading results to the INEC portal was deliberate to provide politicians opportunities to alter the election results.
The Civil Society for Good Governance said, “While it is a fact, that the elections have been conducted and winners declared into the positions of the President and the seats in both chambers of the National Assembly, we cannot still afford, to overlook, the ignoble role, played by INEC during the February 25th Presidential and National Assembly elections in the country.
“The actions of the Professor Mahmoud Yakubu led INEC have clearly undermined President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to Nigerians and the international community of holding free, fair, and credible elections.
“Suffice to say that INEC failed to adhere to critical provisions of the amended Electoral Act, with several reports of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) challenges, the delay in upholding the results and excuses of server hutches.
“There were also cases of outright voter intimidation in parts of the country, particularly, where people were allegedly prevented from voting, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was silent on the occurrences throughout the election.
“Most worrisome are the delay in uploading results to the INEC portal which was deliberate; to provide politicians opportunities to alter the election results.
“Last Saturday’s conduct of INEC is unacceptable and should not be allowed. We warn INEC not undermine the will of Nigerians, particularly in the coming days that Nigerians will be out again, elect Governors and members of the States houses of Assembly.
“As stakeholder in the process, we had high hopes that INEC would do a good job, unfortunately, it appears that the electoral body was not prepared to conduct credible elections and the body language of Prof Yakubu clearly suggest this.
“Professor Yakubu has poured scorn on his reputation, and that of INEC going by the shameful conduct of the commission on February 25th 2023.
“We urge Nigerians not to be discouraged, but rather increase their zeal towards ensuring the survival of our democracy.”
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