INEC Responds to Claim that Ballot Papers Has Been Distributed To Politicians For Ilegal Thumb Printing

 
Following the postponement of the general election five hours before the election began on Saturday, Reports has gone viral as people claimed that ballots papers were already in the possession of some Politicians as they seek to fill the ballot papers before the election began.


INEC announced early hours of Saturday that the general election has been re-scheduled to take place on the 23rd of February and 9th of March 2019. Many has concluded that the postponement was a result of a possible rigging by way of infiltrating already filled ballots papers during the election. Though, the Independent Electoral Commission deny such reports and maintained that the reason for the re-schedule of the election was to ensure that all avenue are explored to conclude a credible election.

INEC has however, move to deny the claim that ballots papers have already been in distribution to some politicians as they seeks to fill such and present it during the election. INEC said on it's twitter handle; 'INEC's attention has been drawn to stories that ballot papers have found their way to the hands of politicians who are thumb printing same for their favoured party. Specifically, reference has been made to Kogi Central Senatorial District.'

This allegation is not true, as all sensitive materials are in the Commission's custody or in the Central Bank's vaults. The stamps in the ballot papers displayed do not represent any of the official stamps to be used in the forthcoming election. It should be noted that only duly stamped and dated ballot papers with the endorsement of the INEC Presiding Officer's signature are valid and will be counted.'