Election monitoring group Yiaga Africa has accused party agent of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in collusion with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) polling officials of denying observers access to the Umuokpara Ehi Hall Polling Unit (16-20-02-005) in Umucheke ward, Orlu Local Government Area (LGA) in Imo state.

Dr. Asmau Maikudi, member Watching The Vote working group who disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja at a press conference also accused polling officials of requesting monetary inducements before allowing party agents to observe the process in Umuchenta Village Square Polling Unit (16-07-06-010) in Atonerim ward of Ihitte/Uboma LGA in Imo state.

According to Maikudi, in most polling units in Ehi Ward and Okesi Ward, Ogori-Magongo LGA and Eika/Ohizenyi Ward, Okehi LGA in Kogi state, INEC officials arrived at the polling units with pre-filled result sheets before accreditation and voting commenced.

She disclosed that the body received reports that some polling units did not open as of 12 noon, maintaining that the development cuts across six LGAs in Imo namely, Okigwe, Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West and Owerri West. Specifically, Comm. Sch.

Others according to her are, I.kpatu (16-19-02-003), Ama-Agbaka Square Umuokpara (16-19-02-030), Amaikpa Agbala Village. Square (16-19-03-011), Aguala Primary School (16-19-10-004), Aro Agbobu Primary School (16-19-11-001) all in Okigwe LGA in Imo state.

In her recommendations, Yiaga’s director of program, Cynthia Mbamalu l called on INEC to suspend elections in polling units/LGAs with reported incidents of pre-filled results forms, adding that the commission should must arrest, investigate and prosecute the individuals responsible for the electoral offence.

“Yiaga Africa calls on INEC to extend the voting time, especially in Imo and Bayelsa states where the voting commenced late to ensure voters have an equitable opportunity to vote.

“Yiaga Africa calls on INEC to provide an update on when voters in locations where elections are yet to commence will vote, especially polling units affected by the late arrival of polling officials or materials destroyed due to the boat mishap in Southern Ijaw and those carted away during the abduction of INEC SPO in Sagbama LGA. And also the location where result sheets were pre-filled before voting in Ogori Mangogo and Okehi LGAs in Kogi State, respectively.

“Yiaga Africa calls on INEC and security agencies to uphold the transparency of the results collation process by complying with guidelines on results management and ensuring accredited election observers, media and party agents are present at all levels of result collation.

“Yiaga Africa calls on INEC to cancel elections in polling units where manual accreditation was recorded.

“We urge the voters to remain patient and peaceful through the voting and counting process. Yiaga Africa will provide updates as the voting process comes to an end and the results collation commences. At the end of the election, Yiaga Africa will provide statistically representative information about the conduct of the election.” (The Guardian)

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