Why INEC will never connive with any Political Party to rig Polls – Yakubu

By Omeiza Ajayi

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has said it would never connive with any political party or institution to undermine the electoral process, saying it is inconceivable that it would go the whole hog to put in place electoral safeguards only to turn around and act in the breach.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who stated this during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners RECs Tuesday in Abuja, however, lamented that Attorneys General and Commissioners of Justice in states often enter a “nolle prosequi” to stop the prosecution of some electoral offenders.

The opposition People’s Democratic Party PDP had on Monday accused the electoral umpire of conniving with the ruling All Progressives Congress APC to rig elections in favour of the ruling party.

However, at the meeting, Yakubu said; “The Commission will continue to improve on our processes in spite of the extremely challenging environment created by the action and inaction of actors outside our control.

“The Commission is deeply concerned that elections in Nigeria, especially for executive positions, are increasingly characterised by brazen acts of impunity. The Commission plans for all elections to be successfully concluded and for the will of the people to prevail. It is inconceivable that INEC will make elaborate arrangement for the deployment of personnel and materials and then turn around to undermine ourselves in the field on election day. lmpunity has become the bane of our elections. The best antidote to impunity is the enforcement of sanctions under our laws without fear and favour. Where offenders are not punished, bad behaviour is encouraged”, he added.

(Credit: VANGUARD)