LP candidate, Achonu calls for cancellation of Imo guber poll, alleges irregularities
By Stephen Ukandu, News & Features Editor
Labour Party (LP) candidate in Saturday’s off-season governorship election in Imo State, Senator Athan Achonu, has called for the cancellation of results from some polling units in the state, alleging massive irregularities.
The former Senator made the call during a press conference in his hometown, Umulumo, in Ehime Mbano Local Area.
According to him, reports from his agents in a number of polling units “were that of hijack of ballot boxes and other electoral materials.”
He also alleged that the exercise was marred with vote buying.
Senator Achonu who expressed disappointment over the development said his party had officially notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for appropriate action.
He said that INEC should cancel of results emanating from the affected polling units.
According to him, the snatching of ballot boxes was prominent around Ideato LGA.
“In parts of Ideato, the process was characterized by ballot box snatching and all manners of irregularities, including intimidation of voters.
“This is unacceptable. We have already written to INEC to take appropriate steps to ensure that fake results are not uploaded,“ he said.
The LP candidate decried what he called “absence of security personnel in certain places around Orlu and Orsu”.
He, however, commended the military for its prompt intervention which helped in saving the situation in some problem polling units.
