Alleged election rigging plot uncovered by LP candidate in Imo State

In the midst of the off-cycle governorship election in Imo State, Athan Achonu, the Labour Party’s (LP) gubernatorial candidate, has raised concerns about a purported plan to rig the poll. Achonu alleges a scheme to induce malfunctions in BVAS (Biometric Verification and Authentication System) in specific polling units across the state.

Addressing journalists in Owerri, the state capital, Achonu, through his Director of Media and Publicity, Chibuikem Diala, expressed apprehension about potential manipulation of the election results or disruption of voting processes in areas where the alleged riggers lack influence.

Achonu called on the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) to intervene and prevent the reported changing of BVAS passwords by the Registration Area Technical Support (RATECH) team. He claimed that the plan, supposedly hatched on the preceding Friday night, aimed to compromise the integrity of the election.

Diala, speaking on behalf of Achonu, stated, “Reliable intelligence from certain LGAs in Owerri Federal Constituency has uncovered discussions by the technical team in those LGAs about providing incorrect passwords to some of the ad hoc staff for this election.”

He continued, “According to the source, the instruction is to ensure that some of the BVAS malfunction at the polling units. The aim is either to produce a false result or disrupt the voting process in specific areas where the riggers lack a strong presence.”

Achonu urged party agents, voters, and election officials to be vigilant and hold the RATECH team accountable if BVAS malfunctions occur. He called the alleged plot “shameful and devilish” and encouraged all involved to report any instances of compromised BVAS passwords.