Tribunal: Anytime We Go To Court, We See INEC Arguing Against BVAS And IRev- Akin Osuntokun

In an interview with AIT , Akin Osuntokun, the Director General of the Labour Party, expressed his concerns about the actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He revealed that the party frequently goes to court where they witness INEC opposing the use of BVAS (Biometric Voter Authentication System) and IREV (Integrated Electoral Management System). Osuntokun emphasized that INEC’s primary responsibility should be to ensure the credibility and integrity of elections, but it has failed miserably in fulfilling this duty.

Osuntokun further criticized INEC’s decision to invest billions of naira in purchasing an instrument aimed at guaranteeing the credibility of the 2023 general elections, only to witness its failure to perform its intended function. He voiced his disapproval of the appointment of Sen. Akpabio, citing his problematic relationship with anti-corruption agencies.

He highlighted the paradoxical situation, stating that INEC, as a regulatory body, introduced BVAS as a crucial tool to enhance the credibility and integrity of elections. However, in court, the party has observed INEC arguing against the use of BVAS and IREV, undermining the very instruments that were supposed to ensure the fairness of the electoral process. This opposition by INEC involves significant financial implications, amounting to hundreds of billions of naira.

Osuntokun expressed frustration over INEC’s argument that it is not legally obligated to abide by the recommendations and guidelines it has itself put forth to ensure the best interests of Nigeria. INEC claims that the electoral act grants them the flexibility to employ alternative manual methods. The constant back-and-forth in court has become tiresome and draining for the party, as they witness INEC contradicting and opposing the mechanisms they had previously advocated for.

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Osuntokun’s interview shed light on the ongoing disputes between the Labour Party and INEC, with the former criticizing the latter’s failure to uphold credibility and integrity in elections, as well as their resistance to utilizing BVAS and IREV despite the significant investment made. The situation has raised concerns about INEC’s commitment to fair electoral practices and adherence to its own recommendations.

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