The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it
will return to Rivers State to conclude rerun elections except there is an assurance of good security.
INEC’s Director of Voters’ Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi,
in a statement said it would not endanger the lives of its personnel,
journalists and observers and others involved in the exercise.
“INEC will, at a date to be decided, conduct fresh elections starting with
accreditation and voting in all Local Government Areas, Constituencies,
Registration Areas and Polling Units where the exercise was disrupted before
voting was concluded on Saturday 19th March, 2016,” it reads.
INEC disclosed that this would only be after due consultation with parties
involved, and subject to the advice of the security agencies and guarantees
by the political parties, candidates and their supporters.
“While the Commission is committed to conducting free, fair and credible
elections, it hereby reiterates its resolve not to return to Rivers State (or
anywhere else where there was a breakdown of law and order in the cause
of conducting elections) until there is a conducive atmosphere for the conduct
of credible elections.
“As a responsible organization, it will not expose its stakeholders especially
voters, its officials, observers, media personnel to any danger and even
where dates have been fixed and published, it will not hesitate to again
suspend the exercise where there is a clear danger or credible threat of a
breakdown of law and order.
“The Commission restates its earlier decision to uphold the declarations and
returns made in the Federal and State Constituencies where the exercise had
been concluded. Similarly, the Commission will conclude and make returns in
constituencies where it is satisfied that voting and collation were done in
substantial compliance with the Electoral Act and our Guidelines,” INEC
said.
While INEC admitted they had issues with production and customization of result sheet, they denied the usage of fake result sheets as alleged by APC and PDP.
INEC condemned those “who have been spewing hate speeches and making
incendiary statements, which no doubt exacerbated an already tense
situation.”
will return to Rivers State to conclude rerun elections except there is an assurance of good security.
INEC’s Director of Voters’ Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi,
in a statement said it would not endanger the lives of its personnel,
journalists and observers and others involved in the exercise.
“INEC will, at a date to be decided, conduct fresh elections starting with
accreditation and voting in all Local Government Areas, Constituencies,
Registration Areas and Polling Units where the exercise was disrupted before
voting was concluded on Saturday 19th March, 2016,” it reads.
INEC disclosed that this would only be after due consultation with parties
involved, and subject to the advice of the security agencies and guarantees
by the political parties, candidates and their supporters.
“While the Commission is committed to conducting free, fair and credible
elections, it hereby reiterates its resolve not to return to Rivers State (or
anywhere else where there was a breakdown of law and order in the cause
of conducting elections) until there is a conducive atmosphere for the conduct
of credible elections.
“As a responsible organization, it will not expose its stakeholders especially
voters, its officials, observers, media personnel to any danger and even
where dates have been fixed and published, it will not hesitate to again
suspend the exercise where there is a clear danger or credible threat of a
breakdown of law and order.
“The Commission restates its earlier decision to uphold the declarations and
returns made in the Federal and State Constituencies where the exercise had
been concluded. Similarly, the Commission will conclude and make returns in
constituencies where it is satisfied that voting and collation were done in
substantial compliance with the Electoral Act and our Guidelines,” INEC
said.
While INEC admitted they had issues with production and customization of result sheet, they denied the usage of fake result sheets as alleged by APC and PDP.
INEC condemned those “who have been spewing hate speeches and making
incendiary statements, which no doubt exacerbated an already tense
situation.”
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