INEC distances self from fake result sheets in Rivers

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has distanced itself from the fake result sheets production factory discovered in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, ahead of the December 10 legislative rerun elections in the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, in a statement on Sunday said the electoral body was unaware of the development.He, therefore, called on relevant security agencies handling the matter to ensure that suspects already arrested in connection with the matter and their sponsors were prosecuted.

He said, “The commission has heard the news about the arrest of nine people with fake result sheets in Port Harcourt.“INEC wants to appeal to security agencies that the culprits should not just be arrested, they and their sponsors should be prosecuted.”It was reported that the police in Rivers had arrested a syndicate involved in the printing of fake result sheets purportedly to be used in the rescheduled rerun elections in the state.

Oyekanmi said that INEC had no relationship with the printing press and its arrested director on the production of the fake results sheet.He said, “INEC does not have any relationship with the said company or any other one in Port Harcourt on the production of results sheets for the election.”

Oyekanmi also denied the allegation that the production of the fake election result sheets was in connivance with INEC and a political party to rig the December 10 election.

He said, “INEC will never connive with any political party to do such a thing to destroy the credibility of our elections.“Our system is too strict and complex for anybody to successfully to do such a thing. It is not easy to break into the process.

“From our own possibilities, we are willing, ready and able to conduct the election in a credible manner.“We are appealing to political parties, and politicians to please play by the electoral rules and guidelines.“If they play by the rules and allow INEC to do its job, the election would be peaceful and credible.”