The Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC has allayed fears over an alleged existence of a rigging machine controlling elections in Nigeria. Addressing such concerns when contacted by Newsdiaryonline, the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye (Esq) said, “The Commission is a public trust and will not betray the trust of the Nigerian people.”
Highly placed observers had told Newsdiaryonline anonymously that they were disturbed by what they described as a worrisome “pattern” of results of elections conducted by INEC in recent times. This concern was expressed ahead of the commencement of campaigns towards the 2019general elections.
“There are allegations of a rigging machine that cannot be controlled by anybody around the elections. The commissioners(of INEC at state levels) do not actually know what the folks are up to and cannot control them,” one of the very influential observers alleged.
Another observer, while speaking on a related matter cited what he called “INEC’s inconsistency in rerun (election) decisions.
The sources gave examples of discordant pattern of results following rerun elections in Kogi House of Reps elections, Idemili Anambra, and 2018 gubernatorial election in Osun to buttress their claims of a likelihood of a clandestine rigging machine.
One of the sources said these elections mentioned have “Similar facts but different decisions” by INEC.
However a detailed reaction to the allegations, Okoye told Newsdiaryonline via email that, “The Independent National Electoral Commission is not aware of any rigging machine in the country or elsewhere.
He insisted, that “The Independent National Electoral Commission is a creation of the Constitution with clear mandate to organize, conduct and supervise elections constitutionally recognized elections. The processes and procedures of the Commission are articulated in the Electoral Act 2010(as amended), Gazettes, Manuals, rules and regulations made pursuant to the Electoral Act.”
Furthermore, he said that “The Commission is focused on the 2019 general elections and has creatively and courageously introduced far reaching innovations aimed at improving the regime of Elections in Nigeria.
Okoye further allayed fears of voters and observers by identifying measures already taken by INEC to ensure credible elections. According to him, “The Commission has enhanced the Smart Card Readers for optimal performance and has continued to pilot e-collation and transmission of results.
“The Commission has introduced color coding of ballot papers and the tracking of vehicles carrying sensitive materials. The training of permanent and ad-hoc staff has become routinized and intense and our elections are getting better.
“The Commission has improved on deployment of permanent and ad-how staff and will continue to consult and listen to the advice and opinions of critical stakeholders in the electoral process.
“The law and the Constitution mandates the Commission through the Returning Officer to withhold the declaration and return of an election if the margin of lead in an election will affect the outcome of such and election. The law and the Constitution mandates the Commission to complete the harvest of votes and collation of results before making a determination on whether a candidate has secured the requisite quantum of valid votes and spread.”
Addressing the examples rerun election cited earlier, Okoye said “Unfortunately, we cannot comment extensively on some of the cases being cited as they are pending before our various election petitions tribunals.
He however said “The only pattern that has emerged in the electoral process is that our elections are getting better and the Commission will continue to work and operate within the ambit of the law and the Constitution.
“The Commission will continue to work with, partner and consult all the stakeholders in the electoral process to secure the electoral environment. The voters deserve protection and must be protected. The votes of the people must count and the Commission is determine to make the votes count.
“We urge the registered political parties to operate in accordance with the law and the Constitution. Political parties must on no account abridge the right of the voters to good election through violence.”
