Why INEC Must Declare Collected PVCs For Osun Rerun

The Advocacy for Integrity and Economic Development (AIED) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prove its unbiased stand by releasing the total number of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) collected in the seven polling units where supplementary elections are scheduled to hold in Osun State.

A strongly worded statement by the group reads: 

“We are deeply concerned about the allegations surrounding the conduct of last Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State. While we praise the electorate for embarking on a peaceful exercise, allegations against INEC as being unbiased are too heavy to be overlooked.

“INEC is the most powerful institution in Nigeria, far more powerful than the office of the President, because it holds the key to whatever form or shape the presidency takes. It is therefore a greater threat to national security, if the commission is seen to be favourable to a particular political party or individual.

“Seeing an official of the commission on national television confessing to an offence of destroying document of the commission capable of manipulating the outcome of the election is saddening.

“While we wish to believe that the said official and his supervisor acted alone, we urge INEC to release forthwith, the details of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) collected in the seven polling units in a display of transparency and fairness.

“This is of utmost importance as such move will erase any thoughts of a planned manipulation between the commission and the ruling party.”