#IMODecides: Tension in Imo as INEC denies withdrawal of IReV password issued to LGA supervisors

Our reporter/ The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) late on Friday allegedly withdrew the IReV password issued to Local Government supervisors for Saturday’s governorship election in Imo state.

According to concerned election workers, no reason was given by the electoral umpire for the move.

Human rights activist and former chairman of Nigeria Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu confirmed the development via a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Odinkalu, who further revealed that INEC has not released a new password for the election, asked the people of the state to expect “IRev malfunction on Saturday.

“#IMODecides2023 Update: I have just learnt from concerned workers that the Password to transmit results to #IREV issued yesterday to LGA Supervisors in Imo for use by APO1s 2mrw have bn withdrawn without reason. New passwords have not bn issued. Expect IREV “malfunction” 2mrw,” Odinkalu wrote.

But the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] has, however, denied the report.

In a statement via its X handle, the electoral umpire described the report as Fake News.

“The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission has been drawn to a story attributed to unknown “concerned workers” of the Commission that passwords for result upload have been withdrawn from LGA Supervisors for use by APO1s in Imo State. This is untrue”, the statement reads.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Presiding Officers (POs), and not APO1s, are responsible for result upload to the IReV”.

“All the passwords have been securely released for use by designated officials in line with the Commission’s procedure”.

“The public should expect more of such insinuations before, during and after the elections, and continue to discountance them”.

Meanwhile, tension is high in the state where the indices are not looking so good as  threats of violence loom large.

Feelers show that though residents are desirous of coming out to vote, they are worried about their safety.

They are equally skeptical and concerned that the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), might not deliver free, fair and credible elections, considering what happened during the 2023 general elections.