PDP raises alarm over Ijaw vote rigging plans

THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to resist any attempts to rig Saturday’s run-off election in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State.

The opposition party, which nonetheless is the ruling administration in the state, alleged the All Progressives Congress (APC) was behind such plans.

APC was said to be behind plots to use compromised security operatives and Independent National Electoral Commission officials to attempt to produce fictitious votes and be declares the winner.

“We issue this statement as direct notice to the APC and their compromised INEC, military and other security operatives who have been stationed to ostensibly assist to produce fictitious votes with which the APC intends to declare itself winner,” Olisah Metuh, PDP spokesperson said.

“Let it be known to all that the PDP is fully mobilized for Saturday’s supplementary election. Our members across Southern Ijaw have been stationed in every polling unit, every collation centre and every exit and entry point in the area, and have been directed to use all mean available in a democracy to stop the APC in their trail,” Metuh said.

He said consequent upon PDP’s loss of confidence in INEC and security agencies, it made public its instruction to its members and supporters not to leave the polling area after casting their votes but to remain alert within the distance provided by the law.

Should there be any vote rigging, these have been urged to “use all means necessary to defend and protect their votes.”

Metuh said the PDP would monitor and keep records of activities, including all votes cast in every polling unit in Southern Ijaw.

“Our members will not hesitate to unleash a legitimate anger, if at any point in collation, fictitious figures appear. In this regard, any INEC official who becomes a tool in the hands of evil will have him or herself to blame,” Metuh said.

He said Southern Ijaw is a well-known PDP stronghold and that it would never accept any results that do not reflect the will of the people.

Some 100 000 voters are registered in the region.

The INEC in December cancelled the Southern Ijaw poll over alleged widespread violence, ballot snatching and hostage taking of electoral officers and employees.

In the seven out of the results of eight LGAs declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson (PDP), polled 105 748 votes as against former governor Timipre  Sylva’s

(APC) 72 534.

The accused parties had not commented on PDP’s fears.

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