IPAC wants Abia elections cancelled

IPAC said the call became necessary because the April 11 elections conducted in the state were characterised by “irregularities, violence, massive rigging, ballot box snatching, tampering of result figures by INEC officers and a host of other manipulations that completely undermined the whole exercise.”
It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in the state, saying what happened on April 11 was a mockery of democracy.
IPAC made the call after its meeting in Umuahia, expressing dismay over the way the election was conducted.
“In Abia North, in Ohafia Local Government the voting was marred with irregularities, particularly in Nkporo and in the localities of Ania and Abia.
“In Isiukwuato, Umunneochi and Arochukwu, there were reports of late arrival of materials and incidents of snatching ballot boxes. In Abia Central, in Osisoma, voters were harassed by armed hoodlums and dispersed from polling booths.
“In many parts of Osisioma Local Government, particularly the units within wards Ward 3, the election materials were not delivered. In Abia South, the extent of violence, ballot box snatching and rigging was extraordinary. Report from Abia South, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and West; indicate that many results returned by INEC officials were not consistent with events on the ground,” it said.