Bayelsa poll: 14 parties condemn ‘electoral fraud’ in Southern Ijaw

The 14 political parties in Bayelsa State that contested the December 5 governorship election have condemned in its entirety the “electoral fraud” that marred the exercise in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

The parties are the Social Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Kowa Party and the Independent Democrats.

Others are Progressives Peoples Alliance, Peoples Party of Nigeria, Democratic Peoples Party, DPC, APA, NNPP, MPPP, UPP and PDC.

Spokesperson of the parties, Victor Agbowarite, made the condemnation at a press conference on Wednesdayin Yenagoa on behalf of their chairmen.

In Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Agbowarite said personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission and materials were hijacked by hoodlums through the instrumentality of security operatives.

According to them, the move was aimed at harassing, intimidating and dehumanizing the electorates, party agents and members of the political parties.

They cited the report of outright stealing of electoral materials and massive rigging, open attempt to overrun INEC officials by militants, thugs and agents of a particular political party in Oporoma and Amassoma.

Also, the chairmen of the 14 political parties acknowledged the connivance of some military personnel and militants loyal to a particular political party to compromise the electoral process by carting away sensitive materials.

The statement also condemned the situation whereby materials were distributed late in the afternoon, accreditation done in the evening and voting in the night, which the parties said negated all democratic norms.

They therefore called on INEC to be neutral, transparent and provide a level playing ground for all parties in the re-scheduled election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in a free, fair and democratic manner.

They, however, commended INEC for the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s election, urging all contestants to respect and accept the decision of the electorates in the election held so far in seven local government areas.