A civil society organization, CLEEN Foundation has accused the Police, Army and the Department of State Services, DSS, of involvement in electoral malpractice during Saturday’s legislative rerun election in Rivers State.
The elections observer group, noted in its report, that both the military and other security agencies failed to maintain neutrality during the December 10 polls.
This is coming at a time when the military dismissed reports that it was involved in electoral misconduct during the elections in Rivers State.
CLEEN cited instances where security operatives killed a voter, carried out sporadic shootings and hijacking of electorial materials during the polls to back up its claim.
According to the report, “The way and manner in which the election was conducted is a validation of the outcomes of the Security Threat Assessment report, and justifies the concerns of various stakeholders that the outcome of the election will not reflect the will of the people.
“There were serious cases of electoral violence orchestrated by the Police, Army and DSS in Ward 3 Bodo community in Gokana and Khana Local Government Area. This led to the shooting to death of Mr. Mbari John MeeBari.
“At Ward 12, Unit 5, Abonnema, Akuku Toru, Police shot sporadically to scarce away voters. At Sara 1, Sara 2 and Kalakama (Ward 12), Okirika LGA electoral materials were hijacked by the Army and officers of SARS at gunpoint.”
The report claimed that the killing of a police officer, DSP, Alkali Mohammed and his orderly, were due to “unwarranted use of force and shooting”.
“INEC, Police, Army and DSS provided overt and covert support for one of the political parties during the poll at Isiokpo INEC Collation Center,Ikwerre LGA, Ngo in Andoni LGA, Bonny LGA and Ahoada, INEC Staff and security agencies especially the army and police were observed openly aiding a political party,” CLEEN said.
The foundation claimed that it observed the late arrival of materials in some places, including: “Ward 8, unit 14, Ubima, Ikwerre LGA; Ward 16, Nyokhana, Khana LGA, Ward 9, unit 3, Ogu Bolo LGA”.
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