The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claims the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is tampering with the Bimodal Voter Verification System (BVAS) machine to be used for the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election. did.
The PDP, while demanding immediate release of election materials for inspection, accused INEC of tampering with the BVAS machine to cover up the alleged irregularities perpetrated in the Edo elections.
The party said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, that INEC officials in Edo State reportedly refused to allow the PDP and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, access to the BVAS machine. strongly criticized.
The PDP had sought access to the BVAS and other materials used in the September 21, 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election, but the party accused the election umpire of refusing to do so contrary to court orders.
Part of the statement reads: “Our party is also using a ploy by compromised INEC officials to wait for “directions from above” to allow infiltration of thugs scouted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some unscrupulous police operatives. Warn the public about how they are being used. In order to create confusion and prevent the PDP from accessing these sensitive materials, we have closed down the INEC office in Edo State.
“INEC’s refusal to release the materials is an act that is a disgrace to the Benin City Holden Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal order dated September 29, 2024, and that the commission has given our party and candidates “free access”. and ordered that it be made public. All election documents or any documents in the custody of the National Chief Electoral Commissioner or any officer of the Commission/First Respondent, in particular voter registers, ballot papers, BVAS machines, Forms EC25B, EC25B(i) Forms EC40A and The EC40C form used for the conduct of the Edo State gubernatorial election held on September 21, 2024. ”
“Therefore, INEC’s actions in Edo State demonstrate that some INEC officials are collaborating with the APC in order to obstruct the course of justice and conceal evidence of manipulation and falsification of election results that were clearly won by the PDP and its candidates. It justifies a criminal report of collusion.”
“Information received by the PDP indicates that the critically compromised INEC officials and the APC tampered with data on BVAS machines, result sheets, ballot papers and other vital information in favor of the defeated APC candidate. I’m trying to do it.
“It is imperative to draw the attention of Nigerians and the international community to INEC’s pattern of continuing to exist as a threat to democracy, contrary to its mandate to promote the democratic principles of constitutional, free, fair and credible elections. ” current election law.
“Nigerians have learned from public reports since the 2023 elections that INEC is actively colluding with the APC to completely ignore and disrespect the expressed will of the people and to sway the outcome of every election in favor of the APC. It will be recalled that the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022 and the INEC Guidelines on Elections.
“This manipulative and provocative action by INEC and APC has already raised concerns that law and order may break down as Nigerians grow dissatisfied with the commission.
“PDP, therefore, assures the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, that he will immediately release the BVAS machines, result sheets, ballot papers and other vital materials used in the elections for our inspection. We urge the committee to immediately rehabilitate its image by doing so.” Political parties and candidates who have complied with the court’s order.
“INEC and the APC will allow the PDP and the people of Edo State to allow the mandate freely given to our party and candidates in the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election to be illegally transferred to the defeated APC. We must know that there is no way to do that in an election. ”
