A Coalition of Domestic Observers under the ageis of coalition for Good governance, Equity & Justice (CGGEJ) has called for the cancellation of the elections in some polling units in Owaza ,Ukwa West LGA of Abia state over later arrival of electoral materials and intimidation of voters among others.
Speaking at Owaza during the election monitoring, The group, through Comrade Francis Osuigwe alleged widespread electoral malpractice, intimidation of voters and non functionality of the BVAS machine, hijack of the electoral process by a certain political party.
The polling units in Owaza West LGA of Abia state affected include:
*Unit 06 IPU West ward
*Unit 07 IPU South ward(Uzuaku).
The Observe group accused the INEC Adhoc workers of complicity and conniving with a certain political party to truncate the will of the people which is against the Electoral Act.
He decried that an election that supposed to start by 8.30 am, electoral materials got to the various polling units by 12.30am and voting commenced 1.30pm, adding that voters who came out enmasse to vote for preferred candidates were harassed by party agents of a certain political party that created an atmosphere of chaos which led to the truncation of the smooth election in which many voters were disfranchised.
In the spirit of equity, fair play and justice, the group called on the Electoral Officer, Ukwa West LGA and the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Abia State to cancel the above mentioned polling units and call for rerun in these areas.
They further stated that they will be on ground with their team of Observers to monitor the rerun and ensure it is smooth and credible.
Signed
Comrade Francis Osuigwe
Comrade Adiele Okey
For coalition of Domestic Observers on Good Governance and Equity & Justice (CDGGEJ)
Tags: 2023 General Election, Abia Politics, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu