23 polling units sited in different politicians’ houses have been uncovered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Mike Igini, disclosed this during his appearance on a TV Programme.
He explained that the discovery was made after he was transferred to the state from neighbouring Cross River State.
His statement read:
“I set up a committee to identify the location of polling units on account of records that I have from within the system found; I discovered 23 polling units were in private homes – the compounds of politicians,”
“Consequently, 23 polling units were relocated to public places and by the time we are done with the report at the commission, we will be addressing stakeholders again”.
According to the REC, elections did not hold in the entirety of the state, especially as it relates to the 2015 and 2019 general elections.
He stressed that the days of not conducting elections were gone and promised that the electoral system in Akwa Ibom State would witness a major turnaround.
Igini hinted that he had informed stakeholders in the state after he assumed office that it would no longer be business as usual.
He also reacted to the allegation of bias preferred against him by some political groups, saying they were only making attempts to secure undue advantages.
Igini also took a swipe at the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
His words read:
“APC in Akwa Ibom and PDP; they are the same people tied together in a single garment of one destiny.
“They’ve always been together before, forget about all this mutation. It is not whether you agree with me but it’s about the fact on the ground.”
