Supporters of the Labour Party (LP) made their way to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, on Monday over alleged access denial to election materials.
The politicians expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged denial of access to the documents used in the November 11 governorship poll.
The Labour Party candidate in the just concluded governorship election in the state, Senator Athan Achonu, claimed that the Commission had refused to provide him with certified true copies of the election materials.
The LP state chairman, Callistus Ihejiagwa, who reportedly addressed the media during the protest, highlighted the party’s grievances against the Commission’s conduct in the state.
The LP chairman said, “INEC is frustrating us. Nine days after an official request was made by our solicitors to the State INEC office, this Commission has continued to deny our legal team access to certified true copies of documents used for the November 11 governorship election in the state as required by law.
“We have come to INEC to express our deep frustration at what is happening. Nine days ago, I was beaten up and thrown out of the hall like a common criminal while INEC and the heads of security agencies in the state looked on. We were mocked and asked to go to court.
“Nine days after they have refused us access. Why, then are they delaying the release of the CTC of requested materials? INEC was so efficient in announcing the results of 27 LGAs in less than 12 hours after the elections; why then is it taking the same INEC over 144 hours to issue the documents backing their pronouncements?”
Ihejiagwa mentioned that his wife and children are still struggling to overcome the distress of witnessing him being assaulted and expelled from the collation centre by thugs affiliated with the All Progressives Congress, all while security agents stood by.
Addressing the demonstrators, the Head of the Department of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC in Imo State, Ben-Opara Emmanuella, confirmed that INEC had received the LP application and assured them it was being addressed.
She said, “It’s your right to request for CTC. The materials are being assembled as we speak. We are already costing the material, and by tomorrow, we’ll give you the cost of payment.”
