Labour Party’s candidate for the Imo gubernatorial election, Achonu, has expressed his strong opposition to the purported new scheme by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the collation of election results. Achonu firmly rejects the alleged plot and stands against any attempt to manipulate or tamper with the outcome of the election. He emphasizes the importance of a fair and transparent electoral process, urging INEC to uphold its responsibility and ensure that the will of the people is accurately reflected in the final results. Achonu’s resolute stance against any potential interference in the collation process demonstrates his commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring a free and fair election in Imo state.
Senator Athan Achonu, the Labour Party’s (LP) candidate for governor of Imo state, opposed a plan on Saturday to compile results at the Imo local government area offices.
While expressing concern over possible attempts to rig the Imo 2023 governorship election, he made this statement to reporters in Owerri.
Achonu emphasised that the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, approved sites should be used for result collation instead of the LGA headquarters, and he would vigorously enforce the law to prevent it.
He also voiced concerns about the possibility that agents of the ruling party were gathering voter card information in council areas in Okigwe, Oguta, Ihitte Uboma, and Owerri West.
Achonu stated, among other things: “INEC should make sure that sufficient security is provided at all polling places and Collation Centres in Imo State to ensure that no qualified voter is denied the right to vote.
It is no longer a secret that the APC is allegedly honing schemes to sway Ad Hoc Staff members and Polling Officers for the INEC. We formally informed INEC that the APC intends to use a few dishonest officials and compromised ad hoc workers to significantly influence the election’s outcome.
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“Over the past two weeks, there have been circulating video evidences demonstrating that APC leaders are gathering voter card details in communities such as Okigwe, Oguta, Ihitte Uboma, and Owerri West. This is illegal and an attempt to thwart popular will. I urge INEC and security personnel to remain vigilant, thwart attempts at election tampering, and make sure that private information does not end up in the wrong hands.
“It is crucial to emphasise that, rather than the LG Council offices, all collation should take place in the official designated venues. In particular, the INEC office in Isiala Mbano was set on fire. Therefore, a public primary school should be declared by INEC as the Isiala Mbano collation centre. This ought to hold true in every other place with comparable difficulties.
“We will oppose any intention to compile results somewhere other than the ward and local government facilities that have been officially recognised by using all legal measures. “I urge security personnel to uphold law and order on Election Day and to act with impartiality,” he declared.
