TheCable

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Alimosho LGA of Lagos says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies must raise the bar in the forthcoming elections.

Speaking on Wednesday, Ishola Shodiya, Alimosho PDP chairman, said the February 25 elections fell short of the expectations of voters.

Shodiya alleged falsification of results and disregard for the provisions of the electoral law during the elections in the area.

“As a party and one of the critical stakeholders in the electoral system of Nigeria, we believe it is within our rights to demand for free and fair elections in Alimosho local government,” he said.

“The performances of INEC personnel at various levels in the process of conducting the last elections left much to be desired.

“Most of the figures churned out at the local government collation centre at Ikotun for the Lagos west senatorial election and for the house of representative for the Alimosho federal constituency are heavily falsified through the aids of INEC officials.

“INEC officials refused our collation officers from various wards to confront them with original results from the units to wards.”

Shodiya said the electoral act should be strictly adhered to in the conduct of Saturday’s elections and all its provisions must be respected to ensure credibility.

“There should be a total breakaway from the ways and manner the last elections were conducted,” he said.

“INEC should ensure that all the necessary election materials are given to its personnel before dispatching them to the polling units.

“The materials must be complete and accurate. Only personnel that can operate the BVAS machine must be deployed to the polling units.

“Any attempt to draft those that are claiming they could not operate BVAS to conduct the coming elections will amount to act of sabotage contrary to the free and fair elections promised.”

Shodiya said at the ward and LGA collation centres, the parties’ collation agents should be allowed to sit with INEC collation officers before the final compilation of results for thorough checking of results and figures.