Christian elders call for cancellation of presidential election results
The Nigerian Christian Elders Coalition has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the results of the just concluded presidential election, citing some irregularities and violation of electoral codes.
Senior Pastor, Family Worship Centre, Abuja, Sarah Omakwu said this at a news briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.
Omakwu on behalf of the group said that it was sad that INEC that led in the enactment of a new Electoral Act that mandated electronic transmission of results had refused to comply with the said provision.
“The most distressing aspect of the conduct of the election is the refusal of INEC to electronically transmit the results of voting directly from the polling units to IREV Platform as required by the Electoral Act.
“This failure is unbelievable and surprising considering that the heart of the new electoral law is the mandatory electronic transmission of results to enhance the credibility of the process.
“We can recall several instances when either the Chairman of the Commission or the Commissioner in charge of Voters Education has assured the nation that election results will be transmitted electronically from the polling units.
“We are shocked that many hours after a general election, INEC did not transmit the results as required.
“This is in addition to many other fundamental breaches of the electoral law, including late commencement of voting across the country, non-voting in many polling units and widespread reports of logistic failure as highlighted by foreign and domestic observers.
“The failure to comply with the electoral law and INEC’s regulation, guidelines on the conduct of elections is why we are calling for the cancellation of the presidential election,” she said.
According to her, Section 60 of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 38 of the Regulation and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022 is clear.
She added that these laws made it mandatory to electronically transmit the results of elections from the polling units.
“We are further pained beyond measure that our beloved Country has been dragged again to the precipice because of deliberate failure by INEC to comply with its own regulation and the electoral law.
“We have read reports and received briefings from several of our members who voted and monitored the elections. We have also listened to the preliminary reports of international and domestic election observers.
“All these eminent observer missions lamented the colossal failure of logistics and integrity of the process provided by law in the conduct of elections,” she added.
She explained that the Christian leaders would continue to pray for peace and unity in Nigeria.
“It is thus our prayer that INEC will immediately do the right thing by cancelling the Presidential Elections so as to restore the integrity of the electoral process in the country.”
The group therefore, called on INEC to suspend further action on the election results and then explain to Nigerians the circumstances for this grave violation of the electoral law.
Those present at the briefing included, Pastor Austin Kemie, National Secretary, Nigeria Prays; Pastor Yemi Oyeniyi, Living Faith Church and Dr Sam Amadi, member.