C'River: Again, PDP Slams CROSIEC Over LG Elections, Says Polls Shambolic
Ndifereke BASSEY
The Cross River State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again slammed Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) for being willing tool used to scuttle democracy at the grassroots level of governance.
In a statement signed by the State Chairman, Venatius Ikem Esq, the party expressed shock at the monumental rigging and brazen display of crudeness by APC members and their supporters who were hell bent in doing the wrong thing.
The party described CROSIEC roles as a shameful abuse of the guidelines as no election results were announced in accordance with S.38 of the guidelines which stipulates that all elections result shall be announced in the various constituencies.
The statement titled "Review of Cross River State LG Elections," read in parts:
"After a careful review of the processes before, during and after the announcements of results of the so called Local Government Elections in Cross River State, we can now boldly say that there was nothing resembling anything worthy of the appellation of an election.
"Consequently, we condemn the so called elections vehemently and denounce the so-called CROSIEC for not conducting an election but merely acting as the Cross River State government's page boys who could not even be trusted to handle elections materials as these were allegedly directly filled at Government House Calabar before announcement.
"In a shameful abuse of the guidelines for
the election, no election results were announced in accordance with S.38 of the guidelines which stipulates that all elections result shall be announced in the various constituencies.
"It took the State Government until Sunday, the 3rd of November to announce the results of election that held almost 24 hours earlier which were supposed to have been announced in real time. No election results were announced at the polling unit nor Local Government where they were conducted in clear violation of the guidelines.
"We nevertheless have no regrets in our participation in the election because nothing happened that was not anticipated and the election reinforced our confidence in our standing with the People of Cross River State because the party in government was afraid to put the elections on ground for the people to determine their fate.
"We rather commend the very dogged determination of our Party faithful especially in the central and northern senatorial districts of the state for their resolute stand through all the intimidation, harassment and thuggery. We request all Cross Riverians to remain law-abiding despite the charade while we explore possible avenues for redress.
"Cross River State has joined the list of states that have made a case for why the state
Governments are incapable of organizing independent elections. We join all well meaning Nigerians to call for a quick review of the Laws mandating the States to organize Local Government elections so as to make it possible for the Independent National Elections body to organise a more responsible election at the Local Government level'" it stated.
