certain Political Party that sensitive materials meant for the 18 November Governorship election in Anambra State have been intercepted
by the Police in an undisclosed hotel in Awka.
In a statement signed by the Resident Electoral Commission in the state, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji said that the attention of the commission
has also drawn to the alleged statement that the Police arrested two persons in connection with the incident.
Dr Orji said that the Commission is not aware of any missing sensitive election material and has not received any official report in that
regard.
He pointed out that it is not possible for sensitive materials meant for the Anambra State Governorship Election to be delivered to a hotel
room because according to him there are laid down processes of delivery of such materials.
According to the REC, the processes involved “strict monitoring of the process by party agents, election observers, security agencies and the
media. The Independent National Electoral Commission, therefore, states categorically that the materials allegedly found in a hotel
room in Awka do not belong to the Commission.
“On the alleged printing of the Register of Voters, Section 20 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides that INEC shall publish the
Register of Voters not later than 30 days before an election. To that effect, it is customary for the Commission to provide the Register to
political parties presenting candidates for an election. This was done in a widely publicised event in Awka on 18 October 2017 during which
all the parties present collected the electronic register. However, it is pertinent to note that the Register given to political parties by
INEC does not have the same details as the one used for elections. Indeed, several fields and security features are not included in the
Register given to political parties.
“The Commission have had the opportunity to compare the Register recovered by the Police and the one meant for the 18 November Anambra
State Governorship election. It is clear on examination that what the Police recovered appears to have been printed from the electronic
Register given to the political parties, and not the official Register of Voters for the Governorship election.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission wishes to reassure the public that it will continue to be transparent in its processes. The
Commission, therefore, appeals to all stakeholders to confirm their information before going to the press in order not to undermine the
peace that has so far prevailed in Anambra State ahead of the Governorship election.The Commission also wishes to restate its determination and commitment to ensurethat the 18 November Anambra State Governorship election is free, fair and credible, and solicits
the cooperation of the people of the State in this regard”. He added.
and then