PDP tells INEC to declare the presidential election inconclusive

The Independent National Electoral Commission has been urged by the Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization of the People’s Democratic Party to declare the nationwide presidential election that took place on February 25, 2023, to be invalid.

The presidential campaign also requested that the electoral umpire set a date for the conduct of elections that takes into account the usage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and violently disturbed areas.

The PDP protested the collation process by INEC, asking for a stop to further collation and staging a walkout from the collation center by the party’s collation center agents. This prompted the call.

“Declare this election inconclusive and designate a date for the conduct of elections that addresses places where BVAS was not used and where violence happened that suppresses the people’s right to vote,” the PDP demanded in a statement released by its spokesperson on Tuesday morning, Daniel Bwala.

The conduct of the elections in 2023 has received much criticism for being marred by anomalies and completely departing from the Electoral Act revision.

According to Bwala, this resulted in the protest pulling out of the political party alliance, causing a constitutional stalemate.

In addition, the campaign spokesperson said INEC should “immediately pause national collation and address the issues made by parties about BVAS bypass and electronic transfer of results.

“Choose a date for the elections to be held in the affected areas, and make sure the results are posted in accordance with the regulations. The usage of BVAS during the aforementioned elections must be lawful and impartial.

“Cancel all the results that have already been compiled and published until such time that all the results that have already been compiled at the polling places alone be uploaded to INEC server, same alone announced, duplicate copies of which all party agents have for transparency reason.”

In order to rebuild the trust of the Nigerian people and the world community, the electoral umpire should also “address the Nigerian public in a televised speech on the sanctity of the processes and integrity of his person.”

He added that it is now undeniable and obvious to everyone that INEC is refusing to address the issues and concerns that have been noted and have been extensively aired, acknowledged, and supported by reports from the nation’s key stakeholders, former presidents, and foreign observers.

The goals of the INEC chairman and the commission as a whole are unclear, he continued. The INEC chairman is required by Section 65 of the Electoral Act to address any irregularities brought up by participants in the process (political parties and their agents) within seven days.

He added that “this election is crucial to the national security of the country,” stressing that “the confidence in the process and legitimacy of the results must never be sacrificed on the altar of convenience and speed.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has been urged by the Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization of the People’s Democratic Party to declare the nationwide presidential election that took place on February 25, 2023, to be invalid.

The presidential campaign also requested that the electoral umpire set a date for the conduct of elections that takes into account the usage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and violently disturbed areas.

The PDP protested the collation process by INEC, asking for a stop to further collation and staging a walkout from the collation center by the party’s collation center agents. This prompted the call.

“Declare this election inconclusive and designate a date for the conduct of elections that addresses places where BVAS was not used and where violence happened that suppresses the people’s right to vote,” the PDP demanded in a statement released by its spokesperson on Tuesday morning, Daniel Bwala.

The conduct of the elections in 2023 has received much criticism for being marred by anomalies and completely departing from the Electoral Act revision.

According to Bwala, this resulted in the protest pulling out of the political party alliance, causing a constitutional stalemate.

In addition, the campaign spokesperson said INEC should “immediately pause national collation and address the issues made by parties about BVAS bypass and electronic transfer of results.

“Choose a date for the elections to be held in the affected areas, and make sure the results are posted in accordance with the regulations. The usage of BVAS during the aforementioned elections must be lawful and impartial.

“Cancel all the results that have already been compiled and published until such time that all the results that have already been compiled at the polling places alone be uploaded to INEC server, same alone announced, duplicate copies of which all party agents have for transparency reason.”

In order to rebuild the trust of the Nigerian people and the world community, the electoral umpire should also “address the Nigerian public in a televised speech on the sanctity of the processes and integrity of his person.”

He added that it is now undeniable and obvious to everyone that INEC is refusing to address the issues and concerns that have been noted and have been extensively aired, acknowledged, and supported by reports from the nation’s key stakeholders, former presidents, and foreign observers.

The goals of the INEC chairman and the commission as a whole are unclear, he continued. The INEC chairman is required by Section 65 of the Electoral Act to address any irregularities brought up by participants in the process (political parties and their agents) within seven days.

He added that “this election is crucial to the national security of the country,” stressing that “the confidence in the process and legitimacy of the results must never be sacrificed on the altar of convenience and speed.