Presidential/NASS polls: Millions of Nigerians disenfranchised – Intersociety

A human rights organisation, Intersociety has alleged that many Nigerians were denied the opportunity to vote in the presidential and national assembly elections held last Saturday.

According to the Intersociety Board Chairman, Emeka Umeagbalusi, the credibility of the elections were marred by irregularities which included late arrival of materials as well as late arrival of INEC officials as well as the inability of BVAS to function optimally.

The organisation, therefore, carried out thorough findings in the processes of the elections and declared thus.

“Intersociety’s post presidential poll finding has credibly disclosed that not less than 6m turned-out voters with PVCs were brutally disenfranchised on the Election Day of 25th Feb 2023.

“The finding further showed that average of 500,000 active voters were shut out and disenfranchised in each of the eleven states in Eastern Nigeria with Rivers, Imo and Ebonyi States as the worst hit where the poll was also brutally rigged for APC. 

“There was estimated 50% PVC-holders voter turnout or intended voter turnout in each of the eleven States. Out of three major factors that caused the massive disenfranchisement, 60% was inescapably blamed on INEC deliberately created late arrival of voting materials and staffs/BVAS failure/failure to track active voters’ names in the voters’ list, while non arrival of voting materials and staffs took 20% and election postponement 20%.

“On the whole, the commission was responsible for 80% and sitting governors and their allied others including “Government Unknown Gunmen” insecurity and fears took 20%. 

“In Anambra State, not less than 1m-1.5m came out and over half of the latter were brutally deprived voting. In Imo State where election never took place in over ten local government areas, killer activities of the “Government Unknown Gunmen” and incurable incompetence and sabotage of INEC forced over 500,000 active voters not to vote. 

“In Enugu state, late arrival of voting materials and staffs forced over 500,000 active voters not to vote. In Rivers state, the “Wike conspiratorial game plan” forced over 1m=1.5m active voters not to vote. In Delta state, late arrival of voting material and staffs and rival group violence brutally delayed the poll and shut out 500,000-1m active voters. These are just to mention but a few.