Bring your cameras to polling stations to capture malpractices, INEC advises Nigerian

The Independent National Electoral Commission has promised to conduct a model election, saying that the commission is geared for change. To this end, the electorates are advised to come to the voting centre 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 commissioner said the tapping of events will help forestall sharp practices by staff of the commission.

Nwatarali made the call in answer 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, the reason 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.

ENDS.