Osun PDP tackles INEC chair over doubts on election technology

 

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted comments credited to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, expressing doubts over the full reliability of technological devices in guaranteeing credible elections.

The party said the remarks, made on Saturday at the Annual National Stakeholders’ Forum on Elections in Abuja, were careless, unguarded and capable of eroding public confidence ahead of future elections.

The forum, organised by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, had the theme “Securing Nigeria’s Democracy: Building Consensus for Credible Elections and Accountable Governance.”

Reacting in a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, the Osun PDP warned that such comments could be interpreted as laying the groundwork for electoral malpractice.

According to the party, Nigerians expect nothing short of free, fair and credible elections, stressing that the Electoral Act 2022 provides a strong legal and institutional backing for the deployment of technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

“The statement by Prof. Amupitan was not only unfortunate but also sends the wrong signal to Nigerians and the international community at a time when confidence in the electoral process must be strengthened,” Bisi said.

He maintained that technology remains the most effective tool to address the challenges of rigging and manipulation that marred previous elections, adding that INEC has a responsibility to fix any perceived lapses rather than cast doubt on the process.

Bisi urged the INEC chairman to withdraw the comments and reassure Nigerians of the commission’s readiness to deliver transparent elections.

“Telling Nigerians and the whole world that technology may not be reliable is like preparing their minds for failure even before the elections are conducted,” he added.

The Osun PDP called on INEC to ensure that all technological devices deployed for elections are fully functional and used strictly in line with the law to safeguard the credibility of the nation’s democratic process.