The gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Athan Achonu, has raised allegations of a potential plot to rig today’s election in Imo State.
Achonu revealed a plan is in motion to deliberately cause malfunctions in the Biometric Verification Authentication System (BVAS) at select polling units across the state.
He contends that the purpose behind this scheme is either to manipulate the election results or to disrupt the voting process in specific areas where the alleged riggers lack a strong presence.
The LP candidate made these claims during a press conference held in Owerri, the capital of the state.
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Speaking on his behalf, Director of Media and Publicity for Achonu, Chibuikem Diala, called on the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to intervene and put an end to the reported alterations of BVAS passwords by the Registration Area Technical Support.
Achonu noted that the purported actions taken by officials on the night of the previous Friday are a clear attempt to compromise the integrity of the election process, raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the ongoing election.
He stated: “The Senator Athan Achonu Media Centre wishes to alert security agents and patriotic INEC staff, especially those sent from outside Owerri for this election, about plans already concluded to compromise the BVAs for use for the election by the RATECH team.
“Reliable intelligence from certain LGAs in Owerri Federal Constituency has uncovered discussions by the technical team in those LGAs about providing incorrect passwords to some of the ad hoc staff for this election.
“Specifically, this deceitful plan was discussed at the Owerri Municipal and Owerri North Local Government Areas, where the Head of the RATECH team has finalised plans to issue inaccurate passwords to POs, especially those posted to polling units with a high number of voters.
“According to the source, the instruction is to ensure that some of the BVAS malfunction at the polling units. The aim is either to produce a false result or disrupt the voting process in specific areas where the riggers lack a strong presence.
“This is shameful and devilish. All party agents in every booth and ward, as well as voters, should hold the ‘RATHEC Team responsible, not the POs, wherever BVAs password is wrong because it has been compromised. We also urge all POs to escalate this criminality wherever it is found.”