By Sam Akadoro / Special Correspondent, Sapele
The Ndokwa Arise Change Initiative (NACI), a political group for good governance in Ndokwa nation of Delta State, had called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the March 28 House of Representatives election for Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency because of alleged massive irregularities.
In a petition signed by Chukwuemeke K. Victor, and copied chairmen of the various political parties, including Commissioner of Police, Delta State, the group alleged wide act of intimidation and ballot snatching at various polling units, especially in Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East.
The group said the election was inconclusive, as the entire Ndokwa East was voided, and that since the Ndokwa East LGA is part of the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, it means the representative in the House cannot be decided by only results from Ndokwa West and Ukwuani LGA’s.
The group also called attention of the commission to the alleged wide cases of electoral frauds in many places, such as Utagba-Uno, particularly Unit 4, Umuseti, where there was no vote recorded.
This is because eligible voters in this area were reported to have been intimidated by men of the ruling party.
The petition also made reference to Ogume, Ward 7, where according to it, “in the process of intimidating and/or harassing INEC’s Supervising Presiding Officers who refused to accept instructions from the ruling party, voters were reported to have been engulfed with fear as thugs invaded the ward”.
The group also said election was marred in Unit 1 and Unit 2 Kwale, by the snatching of ballot boxes.
“Similar occurrence was equally reported to have taken place in Units 6, 31 and 32, Azunze, Umusadeii and Umuseti respectively.”
The petition said voters were also intimidated by some thugs reported to have been men of the ruling party at Onicha-Ukwani, Adoh Primary School, particularly Unit 6 and in Units 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 15, 3 and 16 Asabamal Primary School, Obiogwa in Ugili-amai, Ibabu I & II, Obi-Ukpo, Ugili-amai Uno.
The petition also detailed how ward 10 Emu, in Ndokwa West reported how agents of other political parties were chased away by agents of the ruling party, ‘thereby using the security men present as a weapon of intimidation”.
The petitioners eligible voters in the affected areas expressed disappointment and that “the election was ill-conducted, and this will amount to total and absolute injustice to have a representative in Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency at the National Assembly level, when equal right for a choice of candidate is being violated in some areas within the jurisdiction of the federal constituency”.
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