Metro
AKWA IBOM: Int’l observers condemn ballot box snatching
The incidence of wide-spread ballot snatching recorded in Akwa Ibom State at the last presidential and National Assembly polls has been condemned by international observers who monitored the election in the state.
Reacting to the occurrence, Pan African Women Projects, an International Election Observer group, in a statement through its Publicity Secretary, Ms Mphoentie Keitseng, alleged that they witnessed thump printing at the opposition party office in the state.
“There were lots of ballot box snatching in lots of polling units and thump printing was ongoing at the opposition party office in the state.
“Our observers reported ballot boxes being snatched and carted away by hoodlums after interaction with various party agents at the unit 12 ward 2 in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
“The result sheets were missing in Ewang in Mbo LGA of the state,’’ she said.
Read also: DELTA: PDP candidate, Oboro, seeks cancellation of senatorial result
The Election Observer group also decried the late arrival of election materials at Udung Uko LGA ward 4, Convent primary school, and insufficient security personnel in some polling units during the polls.
“Violence almost led to loss of lives as there were no security agents present at Unit 12 ward 6, Obio Offot, Uyo and Ibesikpo area.
“The collation of materials at some collation centres was characterised by thuggery and intimidation of Electoral Officers, ad hoc staff and corps members by security personnel.
“In Essien Udom, accredited observers were stopped by the thugs and violently barred from accessing collation centres,” she said.
“There was late arrival of materials during the elections in Uyo and some LGAs in the state.
“Many returning officers were attacked by thugs at various collation centres in Akwa Ibom, because officers refuse to adjust result sheets in favour of a certain candidate that truly lost the election,’’ Keitseng said.
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