Poll Postponement: APC demands openness, transparency from INEC

OBIORA IFOH, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, must ensure greater openness and transparency in its preparations ahead of rescheduled general election this weekend.

The ruling party which will also hold a National Caucus on Monday in Abuja mandates INEC to brief Nigerians daily on an ongoing basis until the election process is concluded.

Addressing the media in Abuja on Sunday, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN and Hadiza Bala-Usman who are APC Directorate of Election Planning and Monitoring and Directorate of Contact and Mobilization respectively said, “As a result of the common pain shared by us all, we, the Directorate of Election Planning and Monitoring, and Contact and Mobilization on behalf of APC Campaign Council, demand greater openness and transparency in the Commission’s preparations ahead of Saturday 23rd February 2019.

“We believe that members of the public should know: What steps INEC have taken with CBN to assess, take inventory of materials and brief the public about what their condition is; The status of INEC’s plans to procure and provide materials for election and in particular let Nigerians know if all materials required are in country and if not what plans the commission has to ensure that they are; INEC’s plans to re-deploy and distribute materials ahead of Saturday 23rd 2019; The specific problems INEC encountered in the failed attempt of Saturday 16th February 2019 and measures it has taken to overcome them?

“What transport logistics and further materials INEC require in terms of vehicles, boats, trucks, airplanes, helicopters, manpower and funding INEC requires to execute the elections of February 23rd and March 9th; and Confirmation that the configuration of the card readers will be completed in readiness of Saturday 23rd 2019.

“In addition to all of these, we believe that INEC should brief Nigerians daily on an ongoing basis until this process is concluded. This is one way to elicit the buy-in of Nigerians that INEC is serious and this will replace disappointment with enthusiasm.

“As President Buhari has urged that “Nigerians should continue to rally round INEC at this trying national moment,” INEC has the duty to now make its processes open, believable and inspiring, this is what Nigerians can and will rally round. This is the road to free and fair elections which is a victory for Nigeria and not for any party.”

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