INEC apologises for irregularities in Imo

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State, Prof. Francis Ezeonu, on Tuesday, expressed regrets at the challenges and irregularities witnessed during the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

Prof. Ezeonu made this known at the Independent National Electoral Commission interactive meeting with stakeholders in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

He stated that the meeting afforded the commission an opportunity to x -ray what happened during the February 23 elections in the state.

The resident electoral commissioner said that there were a few hitches which impeded the early deployment of materials on the voting day.

“There were deliberate efforts to frustrate the use of registration area centres and in some places, our water tanks were carted away soon after delivery and wires used in reticulation of the centres were carted away.

“In a few places, the community members disrupted activities at the registration centres.

“Out in the field, there was too much turmoil; we battled with thugs for INEC materials, corps members were kidnapped and returning officers harassed and intimidated and in a few places forced to declare results that were obviously concocted under duress.

“Some other staff were obviously compromised. The maxim was either to play along or be battered.

“Our materials were destroyed and our office at Isiala Mbano burnt down by an irate mob. At Isiala Mbano alone where the office was burnt, we lost 204 smart card readers and over 600 ballot boxes among others.

“In Ohaji-Egbema, we lost more than 30 smart card readers. Our ballot boxes and other electoral materials were destroyed with impunity. This obviously is not our idea of an election.

“I regret that the elections did not turn out as good as we planned,” he said.

According to him, the most painful aspect of the debacle that faced INEC was that highly respected members of society allowed emotions to displace reason.

“For me, it is not a palatable experience. I had earlier warned that in this journey each one of us had a role to play.

“As the resident electoral commissioner, I take responsibility for all the shortcomings during the last election and I pledge to make amends. However, there are issues for which I cannot be held liable,” Ezeonu added.

He said that there was the need for Nigerians to create a friendly environment for the ad hoc staff to do their work, urging prominent citizens of the state to exhibit exemplary conduct.

“The experiences of the last elections have sent shock waves; so much so that some ad hoc staff have given notices that they would not wish to participate in the next elections.

“Even corps members are threatening to withdraw. The way things are going, we may come to a stage where no person will be willing to officiate during elections. The situation is that bad, but we can all work together to change it,” he said.

He, however, declared that strategies would be employed to ensure the experiences of last election did not repeat.