The Concerned Kogi Citizens Forum, accompanied by a group of supporters, marched to the National Assembly yesterday.
They urged Senators and members of the House of Representatives to enforce the mandatory adoption of the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The group also protested in the Federal Capital Territory against the reported circumvention of BVAS technology in recent national elections.
Starting their demonstration at Unity Fountain in Maitama, they proceeded to the Federal Ministry of Justice and eventually to the National Assembly.
They called upon both branches of government to ensure BVAS becomes obligatory to safeguard the integrity of the country’s democracy.
In their official protest letter titled “LETTER OF PROTEST AGAINST BVAS FRAUD,” the group emphasized their concern over the reported BVAS fraud during the Kogi State Governorship Election held on November 11, 2023, where the BVAS Technology was allegedly bypassed.
“Kogites feel so betrayed that after all the assurances given by INEC that BVAS machines will be used to curb overvoting, some INEC officials compromised and sold Kogi State out.
“As members of the CONCERNED KOGI CITIZENS FORUM, we are here to appeal to you to use your good office to save democracy in Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole. We are also humbly making this legitimate demands from you:
READ ALSO: 2023 Presidential Poll: ‘Establishment of Criminality’ Stopped INEC Server from Working—Peter Obi
” We demand that Sections 64 {4} and 7 {2} Of The Electoral Act, 2022, which made BVAS mandatory for accreditation during elections, be made operational without loopholes to be used for the good of all Nigerians.
“We demand that the taxpayers’ money uscd to pass this bill, procure, and deploy BVAS technology must not be wasted at the expense of INEC, which has failed in its constitutional responsibilities
“We further demand that the National Assembly must as a matter of urgency prevail on INEC to be impartial at all times.
“We demand that the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu be summoned before the senate to explain to Nigerians why he authorized his staff and legal team to defend the malpractices that were carried out against their {INEC’s} own process and creation (BVAS machines).
“We have lost hope in Professors conducting our elections and we demand that the Institutions be changed immediately. Our Professors have let us down
“We call for a change to other institutions like Retired Soldiers, Pastors, Imams, Traditionalists, etc to replace Professors during our elections
“We further demand that INEC should declare election results from the IREV and only after confirming the exact number of accredited voters on BVAS.
“We strongly oppose Professors harming our institutions. ” Professors have displayed their incompetence in the conduct of our elections over the years and we demand for a change.”
(Vanguard)
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
