[News] INEC is trying to abdicate its constitutionally assigned responsibilities of conducting free, fair and transparent elections – PDP Chairman, Uche Secondus alleges

The National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has alleged that INEC is trying to abdicate its constitutionally assigned responsibilities of conducting free, fair and transparent elections.

His comments come after media reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will stop procurement of electronic voting machines for the 2023 polls because of the rejection of e-transmission of election results by the National Assembly.

Secondus said the existing Electoral Act and 1999 Constitution gave INEC the power to conduct credible elections, and it does not need the National Assembly’s approval to perform its duties.

“From all indications, INEC is trying to abdicate its constitutionally assigned responsibilities of conducting free, fair and transparent elections hiding under the cover of delayed amended Electoral Act or rejection of e-transmission of results” Secondus said in a statement on Sunday, August 15.

“Nigerians and democratic observers globally are watching INEC ahead of 2023 and it will be disastrous if the independent electoral body dances to the antics of the ruling party,” he said

According to Secondus, if INEC can conduct governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states in September and October last year respectively without the amended Electoral Act, it is possible to do the same thing all over the country without the amended electoral act.