2023 Elections: Imo IPAC Condemns Relocation Of Polling Units, Call For Removal Of Imo REC

ThankGod Emeh…

Twelve (12) Political Parties within the Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Imo state Chapter known as Imo IPAC G12 led by Elder Anthony Ahaneku have condemned in its entirety the “undercut, strange and evil dealings of the APC led government of the State with the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Prof. Sylvia Agu to compromise the forthcoming 25th February Presidential and National Assembly elections in the State having concluded plans to relocate many Polling Units in Okigwe, Orlu and Orsu Local government areas of the State”.

The group while speaking to Journalists in the State on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 called for the removal of Imo REC, Prof Agu if her actions are not checkmented, stressing that the “mapped out Polling Units from each LGA for relocation to their various LGA’s STADIUM otherwise called IDPs” was hastily, haphazardly and selfishly done by the Imo REC to benefit her paymasters without due consultations with party Chairmen, relevant stakeholders as well as following the guidelines provided by the Electoral Umpire, the Electoral Act and Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“We therefore, call on the INEC National Chairman to call the Imo REC to order or replace her as the under listed Political Parties of Imo State will do all within the ambit of the Law to resist this evil plot designed
by the REC to benefit her paymasters”

“We the undersigned 12 political Parties do hereby implore You Sir, to use your good offices to call the Imo State REC-to order as she has been boastful that her actions in Imo State is in carrying out the instructions given to her from Abuja or in alternative her removal as Imo REC with dispatch”

“Sir, arising from an INEC Interactive Meeting with the critical stakeholders and Political Party Heads and Chieftains in Owerri few days ago, we were shocked to be informed by the REC to our chagrin, how INEC has concluded and perfected plans to bring together the entire 6 RA’s (the Pooling Units) as IDPs in the Stadium of OkIGWE LGA
of IMO State and many more LGA’S, like ORSU and ORLU. It follows therefore that, if this Imo REC’s plans and announcement is allowed to
stand it will seriously Jeopardize the elections of the 25th February 2023 given the position of the Electoral Act of 2022, INEC Guidelines and the 1999 Constitution (as amended)”

“It is sacrosanct that Section 6 of the INEC Regulation and Guideline for the Conduct of Election in Nigeria, provides that, voting in any election to which these regulations and guideline applies shall take place at Polling Units Established by Constitution. To this end, Section 24 (a) of the Electoral Act, 2022 further states that the result of all the elections shall be announced by the Presiding officer at the Polling Units etc”

Imo IPAC G12 noted that if IDPs should be created, all political party Chairmen as critical Stakeholders should be properly consulted to be on the same page as to inform their teaming members and supporters to do the needful adjustments enough.

“With the announcement of that of Okigwe Local Government Area by the Imo REC as a test case; an act done altra vires of all extant laws regulating the official powers of every REC of the various States of Nigeria vide INEC Guidelines, Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and without the required due consultations, consent and authority of the heads of the various POLITICAL PARTIES and other stakeholders of Imo State first sought and obtained”

They added that since there would be no vehicular movement on the day of election for None Election Duty Personnel within 8am to 3pm, the Relocation of the Polling Units spells foul play aimed at shortchanging the party candidates and disenfranchising the Electorate.

“We further condemn in the most strongest term, the possible that the aforesaid unilaterally relocation of the Polling Units in Okigwe LGA or in any other parts of the State as the said relocation is to the detriment of the electorates who cannot transport themselves to and fro their Polling Units to the said Okigwe Stadium or any other designated Areas in the above mentioned 3 LGAs of the State”

“Furthermore, the Imo REC’s action so far will not only disenfranchise eligible voters, but would also short-change Candidates of Political Parties and their teaming VOTERS as every voter is legally expected to vote within a close distance; and, in observing a strict No Vehicular movements order to none Election Duty Personnel’s within 8am- 3pm clearly demonstrates a serious foul play by the actions of the said REC”

The formidable G12 Stressed that their concerns and call is for a fair playing ground that would ensure a credible, free, and fair election.

“Be that as it may, it is our collective accord to pray you Sir, to use your good offices to intervene timeously to save the proposed 25/2/2023 Election in Imo from being hijacked by the APC ruling Party through your
Imo REC”.