The Labour Party (LP) in Imo State has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of planning to conduct the November 11 election in polling units with zero voter registration.
The LP Chairman in Imo, Mr. Callistus Ihejiagwa, raised the alarm during a news briefing held in Owerri.
The LP’s claims were backed by reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), which revealed that INEC had identified 38 zero polling units in the state, where no registered voters exist, and where elections were not initially expected to take place.
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Ihejiagwa, who described the affected areas as APC catchment points, alleged that the electoral umpire was under pressure to conduct election in those units.
He stated, “We have it on good authority that contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and Electoral Guidelines, APC, in collaboration with INEC, has perfected plans to conduct elections at non-INEC designated elections venues and flashpoints in Orsu and some parts of Orlu LGAs.
“The plan is to hide under the present state of insecurity to have elections in areas affected by violence and APC’s choice locations.”
To address these concerns, the LP chieftain pleaded, “We hereby draw the attention of the security agencies, INEC and federal authorities to this unfortunate development and insist that steps be taken to ensure that nothing is done to scuttle or compromise this all-important election in Imo State.
“We urge the international community, the human rights community, civil society groups and election observers to take note.” He added.
The INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Emmanuella Ben-Opara, was contacted regarding these allegations. She said that the commission had already resolved not to conduct election in the 38 polling units with zero registration.
She emphasized that “there are 4,758 polling units in Imo out of which election will hold in 4,720.“The remaining 38 will witness no election because they are zero polling units.This is the commission’s decision.”