INEC should address all lapses before election –PDP

Akin Oshuntokun
| credits: http://ynaija.com

The presidential campaign council of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South West has described the poll shift as an opportunity for the Independent National Electoral Commission to address lapses that can mar the elections.

The campaign council, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Chairman of its publicity sub- committee, Chief Akin Oshuntokun, berated INEC for being unconcerned about the disparities in the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards across the country.

The council alleged that the distribution pattern “systematically puts a section of the country at clear advantage while putting others at severe disadvantage.”

It noted that the attempt to disenfranchise a set of residents by two employees of INEC, as revealed by the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner recently, was worrisome.

It said the extension period was an opportunity to make amends.

The statement read, “A distribution pattern in which insurgency– ravaged areas record over 70 per cent collection rate of PVCs to the 40 per cent average distribution rate in the relatively stable and peaceful South West calls for concern and most certainly requires a lot of explanation.

“For the APC leadership to have referred to the postponement of the election dates as a coup against democracy, even as it became apparent that about 60 per cent of the people of the region would not have been able to vote, is sheer wickedness and a coup against the people they claim to lead.”

The committee urged INEC to take urgent measures to eradicate the prevalence of underage voting in areas that had been clearly identified with such illegal practice.

It added, “We ask that the postponement of the election by six weeks be capitalised upon by INEC, to, as a matter of urgency, provide the PVCs and make necessary logistic arrangements for their speedy distribution.

“The INEC chairman should endeavour to jealously guard his good track record and the reputation he earned for conducting credible 2011 elections widely adjudged to have met international standards. There is the need for him to disabuse the mind of the public of any misgiving and resolve to remain a fair and unbiased umpire.”