INEC has refuted the claims of Social Democratic Party (SDP) that its staff in Kogi state are reconfiguring BVAS devices to manipulate the November 11 governorship polls.
SDP alleged that these INEC staff have been contracted by the state governor, Yahaya Bello, for this purpose.
The electoral commission emphasizes that the BVAS devices are being used for a credible and transparent election process.
INEC added that all measures to ensure the integrity of the electoral process are being taken.
“These devices, conveniently stockpiled by Governor Bello, are allegedly set to be clandestinely merged with INEC’s deployment in specific regions such as Okene, Adavi, and Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State,” the SDP said.
The party issued a strong warning, stating that they will firmly resist any attempt to disrupt or manipulate the electoral process in the upcoming election through fraudulent means.
In response, INEC issued a statement refuting the allegations, declaring them to be false. The commission called on the public to disregard these claims.
Furthermore, INEC clarified that the three individuals mentioned in the allegation are not involved in configuring the BVAS machines and are not currently in Kogi state.
“Mr. Nicholas Ocholi is on his duty post in our Ondo state office in Akure. Ibrahim Egbunu is attending to a very close family member hospitalised in Abuja. Mohammed Adara retired last year and is no longer a staff of the commission,” the statement reads.
“The configuration of BVAS is done simultaneously and exclusively in our offices in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States professionally and strictly handled by teams deployed from the national HQ, Abuja.
“The public is advised to disregard the story as fake news. At the same time, the Commission appeals to political parties to desist from engaging in malicious rumour mongering of this nature.“