The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate of Imo State, Athan Achonu has rejected the alleged plan to collate results in the local government headquarters.
Achonu shared his reservation while raising alarm over a suspicious move to rig the Imo 2023 governorship election.
He argued that the collation of results should be carried out in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) designated areas and not LGA headquarters, adding that he would apply the law adequately to stop it.
The LP flag bearer also claimed that the ruling party was harvesting voter card details in council areas of Owerri West, Oguta, Ihitte Uboma, Okigwe others.
According to Achonu, “INEC should ensure they provide adequate security in all polling units and Collation Centres in Imo State so that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.
“It is no longer secret that there are reports (allegations) of APC perfecting plans to influence INEC Polling Officers and Ad Hoc Staff. We officially put INEC on notice that the APC is planning heavily to Influence the outcome of the election through compromised ad hoc staff and a few corrupt officials.
“In the last two weeks, video evidence in circulation shows that communities (Owerri West, Oguta, Okigwe, Ihitte Uboma, etc.) where APC leaders are harvesting details of Voter Cards. This is criminal and an attempt to subvert the will of the people. I call on INEC and security agents to be alert and checkmate these efforts at rigging the election and ensure that sensitive materials do not get into the wrong hands.
“It is important to restate that all collation should be done at the officially designated centers, not LG Council headquarters. Specifically, Isiala Mbano’s INEC office was burnt down. So INEC should publicly announce a public primary school as a collation center for Isiala Mbano. This should also be the case in every other location with similar challenges.
“We will use all lawful means to resist any plan to collate results in any place other than officially designated locations at the ward level and at the local government level. I call on security agents to maintain order on Election Day and to be impartial.”