By Davies Iheamnachor
The Labour Occasion (LP) has condemned the native authorities space council election performed in Rivers State on Saturday by the State Impartial Electoral Fee (RSIEC), calling it a sham.
In a press release launched in Port Harcourt on Monday, the occasion introduced its intention to take authorized motion in opposition to the RSIEC, claiming the election was held in defiance of established electoral requirements.
Dr. Francis David Matthew, Publicity Secretary of the Port Harcourt Metropolis Marketing campaign Council, said, “The Labour Occasion needs to categorically condemn the fraudulent train carried out by RSIEC on October 5, 2024, within the Port Harcourt Metropolis Native Authorities Space. It’s essential for the general public to grasp that what transpired was not an election however a coronation, orchestrated with out adherence to the electoral legal guidelines of our land.”
Matthew emphasised that not one of the basic rules or legal guidelines governing free, honest, and credible elections have been adopted. He expressed confidence that the courts would in the end deem the method illegal, because the occasion possesses overwhelming proof of the violations that occurred.
“A obvious instance is the non-use of the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the absence of outcome sheets in 938 out of 960 polling models throughout the 20 wards of Port Harcourt LGA. It is a gross violation of the regulation, and we, as a celebration and because the folks of Rivers, vehemently reject this travesty.”
He added, “As law-abiding residents, we intend to deal with these severe infractions in courtroom. We’ve got irrefutable proof from 1000’s of witnesses at numerous polling models in Port Harcourt LGA, all of whom skilled and documented this illegal course of firsthand.”
Matthew urged occasion supporters to not lose hope, stating that the judiciary has confirmed to be a dependable technique of rectifying electoral injustices. He expressed confidence that the courts would rigorously study the proof and ship a simply and honorable verdict.