The Labour Party (LP) in Imo State has raised the alarm over an alleged plan by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the election on November 11 in polling stations where there are no registered voters.
Mr. Callistus Ihejiagwa, the Chairman of the Imo Labour Party, made this assertion during a press conference in Owerri on Thursday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), INEC identified 38 polling units in the state with zero registered voters, where no elections are expected to be held.
Ihejiagwa, characterizing these affected areas as strongholds of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed that the electoral commission was facing pressure to organize elections in those units.
He emphasized that conducting elections in these areas would violate the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC’s Electoral Guidelines.
He said: “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.”
The LP leader, thus, urged the Federal Government, law enforcement agencies, the global community, and other pertinent parties to conduct an inquiry into these claims, aiming to guarantee a transparent and equitable electoral process within the state.
“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.”
When reached for comment, Mrs. Emmanuella Ben-Opara, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, stated that the commission had already made the decision not to hold elections in the 38 polling units with no registered voters.
“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,” Ben-Opara said.
Ihejiagwa also responded to the reported assault on Mr. Joe Ajero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, and several congress officials in Owerri on Wednesday.
He characterized the incident as deplorable and appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun “to rejig the police in Imo ahead of the elections for their optimal performance”.