2023: Peter Obi Supporters Protest in Abuja, Allege Underage Registration, Vote-buying Plot
- INEC has been asked to clean up its register especially on the issue of underage registration of voters
- A protest led by Prof Pat Utomi and Dr Yunusa Tanko of the Labour Party was held regarding the issue in Abuja
- The electoral commission in a statement admitted that some of its staff may have been compromised
FCT, Abuja - The chief spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Yunusa Tanko, on Thursday, November 17 led a delegation of supporters of the presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, on a peaceful protest in Abuja against alleged underage voters and vote-buying plots.
The protesters also raised an alarm over the discrepancies reported in the newly released register of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Source: Twitter
Punch newspaper reports that the demonstration, which started from Unity Fountain to the INEC headquarters, slowed down traffic on some major roads.
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Following the unveiling of the preliminary register of voters on its website ahead of the 2023 general elections, INEC came under heavy criticism over allegations of multiple registrations and discrepancies on the register.
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Tanko said the LP demonstration at the INEC head office became inevitable to allay the fear of rigging and imminent vote-buying ahead of the 2023 polls.
He added:
“The purpose was to protest the issue of underage voters and multiple registrations as widely reported and demand PVCs for those who have yet to be given.”
Underage voting: We can’t rule out infractions by our staff, INEC admits
On its part, INEC has said proof of underage and multiple registrations in its preliminary voter register was means it is committed to transparency.
The national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, Festus Okoye, stated this in a statement seen by Legit.ng on Thursday, November 17.
Okoye stated that the commission cannot rule out the possibility that its registration officials violated the law by allowing these ineligible people to register in the first place.
2023: Demand for bullet-proof vehicles surge ahead of general elections
In a related development, as preparations for the 2023 general elections gain momentum, the demands for bullet-proof Sports Utility Vehicles have increased significantly across the country.
Very Important Personalities, top chieftains and candidates of political parties have been procuring customised vehicles that offer special protection in the run-up to the campaigns and elections.
Apart from ordering armoured vehicles, it was also learnt that politicians were applying for special police protection and procuring other security wares.
2023 elections: FCI to partner with other agencies to combat fake news
Meanwhile, FactCheck Initiative has created a team for a cause that will involve partnering with the government and other agencies in other to have free, fair, and peaceful elections in Nigeria void of any form of violence in 2023.
The main aim of this cause will be to spot, examine and respond to the impact caused by any misleading information ahead of the upcoming 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
Adeoye Temitope, country director, FactCheck Initiative says stopping fake news and misinformation is the inspiration behind the project.
Source: Legit.ng
