The Pan African Women Projects, a foreign observer group, has called for a review of the governorship election in Imo State, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address irregularities in result tallying displayed on the IREV portal.
The Head of Mission for Pan African Women Projects, Dr. (Mrs.) Eno UDENSI, alleged that elections did not take place at numerous polling units in the state.
Speaking at a press conference in Owerri on Wednesday, the group expressed concern about the recorded violence during the election and appealed to the new leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to address security lapses.
The observers highlighted irregularities in the tallied results and instances where elections were not conducted, emphasizing the need for attention to these issues to ensure future election credibility.
READ ALSO: “For Over 3 Years, Workers In Imo State Have Been Without Salaries” -NLC
“The elections in Imo State were conducted at variance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 but we are hopeful that the Electoral Commission will pay attention to these irregularities and consider our recommendations and suggestions in our report for subsequent credibility in future elections to be conducted.”
The group acknowledged the introduction of the BVAS by INEC but pointed out its shortcomings, particularly in processing information speed and network connectivity challenges. They called on INEC to address these issues.
Our organization will only speak and report incidents we observed through our observation team on Saturday 11th November, 2023 in Imo state.
“The security agencies need to do a review of the activities of security agencies at this election. We plead with the new leadership of the Nigerian Police Force through this medium to have a stakeholder meeting with representatives of political parties, INEC, observers, and the media to address the grey areas of security lapses at this election and make corrections towards the subsequent elections in Nigeria.
The observers recounted a traumatic incident at Attah High School, Ikeduru, where armed thugs invaded a polling unit, kidnapped a man named Emmanuel Ihenachio Ezirim, and stole materials. They also highlighted ballot box-snatching incidents in Oru East and Oru West.
“The units are 040 Ama Ofuokwu Owerri, units 017 Capino Secondary School, Umuhu, Omuma, Unit 020 Ogbo-Ewu market square,032 Oil Mill,027 Amajaraogu Square, Unit 036 Umuihihioke,042,043,045 Umunwanzu Square. C. OWERRI MUNICIPAL LGA
In unit 022, Market Square, Orlu Road we observed an incidence of ballot box snatching and intimidation.
“We observed a low turnout of voters across the State at this election as compared to other elections we witnessed. At many polling units we visited even at 1230pm the total number of voters seen at polling units was very few.” The group said.
The Pan African Women Projects concluded by urging the new leadership of the Nigerian Police Force to hold a stakeholder meeting with political parties, INEC, observers, and the media to address security lapses and make corrections for future elections in Nigeria.