Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Election observers from the Civil Society Group have claimed that last Saturday’s elections fell short of expected local and international standard.
The group said that reports submitted by its members indicated that elections did not hold in some places where results were “manufactured”.
The group confirmed in its report released in Abuja, on Wednesday, that the elections were conducted in a violent way in some of the areas in Anambra and other states of the federation, with unjustifiable results produced.
The report which was jointly signed by the group’s National Coordinator and Secretary, Adedapo Adebayo, and Jimmy George, respectively, claimed that Anambra East and West senatorial district elections were marred by violence, thuggery and vote buying allegedly perpetrated by APGA candidates with the instrument of Anambra State government.
It added: “We observed that the result was never collated, rather it was signed by unauthorised persons after PDP agents and supporters were chased out.
“We also observed in Enugu Otu ward that the result sheet was signed by one Paul, instead of Maxwell Iwunor, who was the PDP agent for the election at the ward.”
The report also revealed that INEC officials were attacked in Nsugbe after the results have been recorded. It also alleged that APGA thugs aided by vigilante services ambushed results and other materials while they were being transported to Otuocha and set them on fire.
It highlighted other electoral challenges recorded in Anambra West and demanded that INEC cancel elections in Anambra East and West federal constituency due to the massive violence, thuggery, harassment and intimidation of some party candidates and agents.
The report also highlighted smart card reader challenges in Lagos, Imo, Ogun and other states. It was particularly concerned that results announced by INEC at the state and national collation centres were totally different from what was announced by state returning officers.