Don’t Contemplate Manual Transmission of  Bayelsa Guber Election Results, INEC Warned

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to contemplate manual transmission of the Bayelsa State governorship election results slated for November 11.

The President of IYC Worldwide, Dr. Theophilus Alaye, stated this in a statement issued yesterday while reacting to a recent press conference organised by Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ofiong Efanga on his plan to adopt  manual mode of transmission of the governorship election results.

He noted that there were no challenges recorded in the state during the 2023 election as the former (REC) adopted electronic mode of transmission of results from the polling units — even from the remotest parts of the state.

To this end, Alaye called on the National Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu to advise Efanga not to contemplate manual transmission of results in the state.

He said: “The President of IYC Worldwide, Dr. Theophilus Alaye has on behalf of Council called on the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu to advise  the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Bayelsa State, Ofiong Efanga not to contemplate manual transmission of the Bayelsa State November  Governorship Election results.”

Alaye was of the opinion that the announcement of use of manual transmission of results by the REC was an indication that the electoral body in the state was preparing the ground to ensure that the votes of the people do not count.

He advised Efanga to note that the failure of INEC to transmit the presidential election results has caused so much uproar in the country, which has  made Nigerians doubt the ability of INEC to conduct credible and transparent elections in the country.

Alaye noted that Yakubu should advise the Bayelsa State REC to ensure that Bayelsa governorship election is conducted in line with the electoral guidelines and adopt the mode of electronic transmission of  results.

He warned that manual transmission of results will confirm the suspicion of the people and would also plunge the state into an avoidable crisis.

“You know Bayelsa State overtime has experienced and recorded a high level of violence except the last presidential and state house of assembly election which was as a result of the application of the BVAS and the electronic transmission of results from the pulling units. Hence it is the prayers of IYC to see violence free elections in Bayelsa State,” Alaye said.