it would conduct a model election, advising the electorate to come to
the voting centers with cameras to capture any ugly event that may
unfold.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of Anambra State, Engineer Edwin
Nwatarali who made the call yesterday at a stakeholders meeting
organized by the commission, said the tapping of events will help
forestall sharp practices by staff of the commission.
Nwatarali made the call while reacting to a question by a stakeholder
who insisted that INEC staff were fond of giving out unused ballot
papers to some political parties who thumbprint them in favour of
their party.
"That is a grave allegation, and no one can come here and make such
spurious allegation without proof. It is very wrong to stand up and
make such claims without evidence, and I will not sit down next time
and watch this happen.
"Never the less, electorates are advised to come to the polling
centers with their cameras, so that they will be able to capture any
of such incidences that play out. That is the only time you can make
such claims with evidence," He said.
The REC also advised people who do not have the permanent voters card
not to bother coming close to the voting centres as there will be
three layers of security all around every polling unit.
Reacting to questions on why the commission can not stop the PDP from
fielding multiple candidates in Anambra state, Nwatarali said it was
not the duty of INEC to present candidates to the party, rather the
parties are charged to present one.
He further stated that INEC does not conduct elections for
individuals, but for political parties, noting that it is the reason
why only names of political parties are found on the ballot papers.
He further said that INEC list on the names of candidates was clear,
and that only those whose names were on the list are authentic
candidates standing for elections, even though it is all subject to
the decision of the court.
--DailyTimes
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