The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmood to carry out a thorough investigation into the non-use of presidential ballot papers during February 25 elections in Rumuonhwa polling unit and many other polling units in Rivers State.
Chairman, Media Committee, of CUPP Barr. Chukwudi while making the call in a statement on Sunday said non use of presidential ballot papers during February 25 elections in Rivers State is shocking and condemnable.
Ezeobika said the INEC action was not acceptable and will not be allowed to stand.
“The claims made by the INEC adhoc Staff that they forgot the presidential ballot papers and their decision to only proceed with the National Assembly elections in Rivers State yesterday 25th of February, 2023 remains reprehensible, disturbing.
“It is indeed sad and unfortunate that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through its agents, deployed for yesterday’s (February 25) elections in most parts of Rivers State, could arrogate to themselves such unfounded powers and erroneously proceeded in error to conduct elections in Rivers State without presidential ballot papers and against the wishes of majority of Nigerians in Rivers State.
“In view of these actions that pose a grave threat to the ongoing elections and which could undermine the entire electoral process, the Coalition calls on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood to immediately carry out a thorough investigation into this dereliction of duty by agents and Staff of the Commission in Rivers State and redeem the image and confidence so far achieved by the Commission (image and confidence which has eroded the Commission for years)
“The Coalition also calls on the Chairman of INEC to, without further delays, ensure that elections are conducted in every polling unit in Nigeria where the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BIVAS) machine failed to function in order not to disenfranchise Nigerians from performing their civic responsibilities to exercise their franchise.
“The Commission must ensure that the confidence built over this short period of time is not eroded or whittled down in any way through actions and or inactions of its Staff or agents deployed for elections at this critical moment in the electoral process,” the statement said.
The group called on security agencies, especially the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, “to swiftly identify, arrest and prosecute all persons who made away with INEC BIVAS machines as well as election materials and carried out attacks on INEC Staff and Security Personnel deployed during yesterday’s election in order to serve as a deterrent to those that may be nursing to perpetuate electoral violence in our future elections.”