A human rights association, Democracy Alliance Network, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working in connivance with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the October 10 governorship election in the state.
The association accused the electoral umpire of allegedly holding a meeting with the leadership of APC wherein it assured them that it would ensure that the strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffer from insufficient materials during the election.
The association stated this in a statement released in Owo, Ondo State and signed by its publicity secretary, Mr. Ibrahim Igbekele.
The statement said, “The plan is to reduce the number of votes. Specific areas have been targeted in Akure, Irele, Okitipupa, Ile-Oluji, Ose and some local government areas in Ondo North.
“INEC’s leadership plans to take only 500 ballot papers to polling units with 1500 registered voters.
“INEC is working in connivance with APC. The international community should hold the leadership of INEC both at the state and national levels responsible if the elections are manipulated. International law should be applied on election riggers.”
While stating that the forthcoming governorship poll is an opportunity for the president to make a positive statement as the country celebrates its 60th anniversary, Democracy Alliance Network urged the president to send a strong warning to INEC leadership that nothing short of free and fair election would be acceptable.
It said: “Already, a lot of people have lost confidence in the country and are embracing secessionist tendencies and it behooves on the president to build confidence in the polity and regain the trust of Nigerians. INEC should ensure that adequate materials get to all polling units, and in good time.”
