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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Six weeks after the February 25 national elections, a civil society organisation, National Coalition for Good Governance (NCGG) has faulted the conduct of the senatorial poll for Delta south senatorial district.
NCGG accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of alleged connivance to favour the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Joel Onowakpo, who returned elected.
Spokesman of coalition, Brisby Ken Ombe told journalists in Asaba that they monitored the election across the eight local councils of the zone, adding however that they were appalled by the level of conspiracy particularly in Isoko South and Warri South councils.
“What we saw was simply an electoral umpire that blatantly went against its own rules and regulations, by working assiduously with agents of the ruling party, APC, to undermine the smooth working of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“We observed that the results from the various polling units in Isoko South Local Government Area altered in favour of the candidate of the APC, while Warri South Local Government Area was outrightly cancelled to the disadvantage of other candidates,” Ombe alleged.
Flanked by members of the coalition including Chioma Ekeocha, Chioma Morrison and Nicholas Osazee, Ombe said the election was largely peaceful “apart from pockets of hitches arising from inflation of total votes cast in Isoko South, and the questionable cancellation of the result of Warri South.”
According to him, application of BVAS was limited in Isoko South, alleging that agents of APC connived with INEC to alter the results from various polling units.
“We regard this unfortunate development not only a minus for our democratic process, but a perfect set back against the will and the overall best interest of all eligible voters in locality.
“We are therefore using this medium to urge relevant stakeholders cum statutory bodies, not to resign to fate but to rigorously ensure that justice is done,” he added.
