Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Political occasion leaders and civil society organisations in Rivers State have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to relocate election outcome collation centres from native authorities council secretariats to police stations forward of the 2027 normal election, alleging intimidation of opposition brokers and manipulation of outcomes throughout earlier polls.
The stakeholders made the decision in Port Harcourt yesterday, arguing that various collation venues would promote transparency, assure equal entry for political events and restore public confidence within the electoral course of.
Former Labour Party chairman in Rivers State, Favour Reuben, alleged that opposition occasion brokers had been denied entry to collation centres by ruling occasion officers on the native authorities degree throughout earlier elections.
He proposed police stations as various venues, insisting that entry ought to be restricted to duly accredited occasion brokers to stop interference and guarantee an orderly course of.
The Rivers State Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Ben Ogbugbulam, additionally supported the proposal, urging INEC to think about the advice earlier than the 2027 polls.
Similarly, a human rights advocate, Dr Jackson Omenazu, known as on the electoral fee to examine the allegations and introduce measures to defend the integrity of the collation course of.
Omenazu burdened that INEC should tackle issues over electoral conduct and make sure that the outcomes declared replicate the votes forged by the voters.
He maintained that safeguarding the pursuits of voters required credible procedures and efficient oversight of the collation course of.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the PILEX Centre, Courage Nsirimovu, urged residents to monitor INEC and its advert hoc employees all through the electoral course of to promote transparency and accountability.
Nsirimovu mentioned public vigilance was important to guaranteeing that electoral officers carried out their duties according to established guidelines and procedures.
The stakeholders mentioned granting political events equal entry to collation centres was vital to stopping disputes and strengthening confidence in election outcomes.
However, their allegations of intimidation and outcome manipulation would require unbiased investigation by the related authorities.
As preparations for the 2027 normal elections collect momentum, the stakeholders urged INEC to think about sensible measures to tackle issues over the collation course of and guarantee a clear, credible and inclusive electoral train.
