The Coalition of Civil Societies for Good Governance, Monday, cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to allow the lapses that occurred in the Presidential and National Assembly election to reoccur during Saturday election.
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, Osun state, the coordinator of the groups, Olufemi Lawson, posited that the actions of INEC chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, undermined President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to Nigerians and the international community of holding free, fair, and credible elections.
The group submitted that INEC failed to adhere to critical provisions of the amended Electoral Act, with several reports of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) challenges, the delay in upholding the results, and excuses of server hutches.
The group said there were also cases of outright voter intimidation in parts of the country, particularly, where people were allegedly prevented from voting, and INEC was silent on the occurrences throughout the election.
He said, “Most worrisome are the delay in uploading results to the INEC Portal which was deliberate; to provide politicians opportunities to alter the election results.
“Last Saturday’s conduct of INEC is unacceptable and should not be allowed. We warn INEC not to undermine the will of Nigerians, particularly in the coming days that Nigerians will be out again, elect governors and members of the state Houses of Assemblies.”
